Every morning in December, I look for the poem in Sarah Connor’s advent series. Today, it’s mine. Thank you Sarah for putting together this series–and for asking me to participate in this beautiful tradition again. Happy Holidays to all!
And now, the trees bare-branched sway
beneath the long night’s moon, roots cocooned
below the fallen snow—so we belay
our fears of endless night with candle flicker, delight
in twinkling glow and flow of wassail cheer.
Against the black-winged sky, the skeleton trees dream,
the flowers sleep beneath frost-gleam,
and we yearn for green–and sights unseen–
for magic or miracles, banish the tragic
with mirth and song,
learn the true wonder is love, and the joy, to belong
while our Earth spins and turns–
the pale blue dot, our golden star–
bonded with a balanced pull, as lovers are
as we know, too,
when we look up to glimmers, ancient bright,
then open our hearts to recreate that light.
Thank you to Merril D Smith for this poem of light and love and joy.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
beautiful, Merril! ❤
-Davi
Aww–thank you, Davi. 💙
Beautifully worded – deserving of the publication – congratulations, Merril
Thank you very much, Derrick!
Beautifully done and perfect for multiple aspects of the season! Cheers to you getting this published. 🙂
Thank you so much, Frank. I was honored that Sarah asked me to participate again.
This lovely poem has overtones of Shakespeare’s sonnet #73 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45099/sonnet-73-that-time-of-year-thou-mayst-in-me-behold
Thank you so much, Marian! What a lovely thing to write.
I guess that illustrates how Shakespeare took that which we all think about and raised it to the sublime.
Your poem warmed my heart Merril!
Oh, how wonderful, Ingrid! Then my job is done. 😀💙
😊
Lovely, Merril. Congratulations!
Thank you, Jill!
A beautiful reflection of hope and renewal for the holiday season. Sarah chose well. These are the lines that resonated most with me, with the stanza break after “belay” being particularly effective.
so we belay
our fears of endless night with candle flicker, delight
in twinkling glow and flow of wassail cheer.
Thank you so much, Liz! I’m so pleased you think so. I really love this advent series Sarah does.
You’re most welcome, Merril!
Left comment on Sarah blog!
Thank you!