-- Winter Solstice --

John Herlihy

In this spent outermost current,

In the dirge of winter’s death,

In the outer limits of darkness,

In the final outpouring of breath.

The winter solstice doth arrive,

Death drawn to its outer limit.

The earth breathes in to survive,

One reversal nature does permit.

The shadowy darkness at play,

Earth’s orbit no longer awaits.

Shadow of shadows making way,

Rebirth passes thru stellar gates.

Blessing yearly from Heaven given,

The natural order can do no wrong.

The waywardness of earth forgiven,

The celestial harmonies echo its song.

For one brief moment, the earth at rest,

Light and life come from deathly dark.

Resurrection’s return makes no protest,

Earth proudly sails as God’s celestial ark.

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(c) John Herlihy 1 June 2020