This Season of Darkness and Light
This hour of this season
is a silent pause,
heron-still till shadows flit
awakened by wren trill
and the spectral sun’s slow rise,
a ghost of summer’s bright Apollo.
We light
one candle, then another,
add a solstice flame, and trees
that glow and twinkle
with captured stars, bright miracles
in the cinnamon-scented air,
and even cookies sugar-sparkle
green like firs—and spring—
and so, we dream
as the ocean of darkness overtakes–
and then–once more—
recedes.
For Sarah’s Tuesday dVerse prompt on light during this time of year. I feel like I’ve written a ton of poems about that, including some others for Sarah. It’s early morning here, but still dark. And it’s sleeting now. A dreary day. We will be lighting candles for my birthday, then Hanukkah, which begins on Sunday night, and then the winter solstice, and Christmas. I’ve been trying to finish up work, but I will catch up with reading over the next few days. Happy Holidays, All!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Beautiful poem, Birthday Belle. And yes, this is definitely a subject you excel at writing about 🙂
Thank you so much! 💙
My pleasure 🧡
Beautifully penned
Thank you!
Candles shoo out darkness, and so does your poetry about the light in this season. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Birthday, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marian! 💙
That last stanza is definitely something to hold onto. Happy Birthday and Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much, Liz! 😊
You’re welcome, Merril!
“the spectral sun’s slow rise,
a ghost of summer’s bright Apollo.”
Wonderful writing Merril.
Thank you so much, Kim!
🙂
Happy Holidays and Happy Birthday Merril! A beautiful poem: the sentiments you express resonate deeply with me.
Thank you so much, Ingrid! I’m so pleased my word resonated with you! 💙
It is so very dark… but soon soon it will turn back again.
Yes, very true.
A beautiful story, wishing you a wonderful Hanukkah 💙
Thank you very much, Rene! 💙
Happy birthday. And I wish for many more sparkles and twinkles for you in the coming year.
Thank you so much, Claudia! 💙
I love this, from the birds flying around bright Apollo, to the smell of baking and the light of hope at the end. It was all very beautiful.
Thank you so much, Tanmay, for your lovely comment! 😊
My pleasure 😆
Sigh .. love the cinnamon scented air 😀 this is beautiful, Merril! 💙💙💙
Aww–thank you so much, Sanaa! 💙💙💙
You’re most welcome! 🙂
Each line a delight! Happy birthday, happy Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas – and New Year of course! A time of feasting 💥
Thank you so much, Susan! It is indeed. Happy holidays to you and yours. 😊
Beautiful poem! Wishing you a very happy birthday and happy Hanukkah! May there be much light and joy in these days…
Thank you very much, Linda, for your kind thoughts and words! 😊
Who is that beautiful cat in the picture?
The poem is like a still life painting, Merril.
3 more days, and the days get longer.
Yay!
Thank you for your very kind comment, Resa!
That’s our Mickey. He died the same week as my mom and during the first COVID wave, so in my mind they’re all forever linked. He was our watch cat, and he had one yellow eye and one blue eye.