Solstice
Winter dawns, heralded by dreary skies and the sun’s retreat. Wind-whipped rain blusters, casting free the remnants of autumn’s crinkled leaves. Woodland creatures burrow into the roots of things, latent, enduring, and twinkling colors gleam in frost-rimmed windows, a warm false-light to see us through the darkness. Oh, do not despair during these days of dying, for the magic of this wise world welcomes the first day of winter with the return of light.
mornings by moonglow
shadows hushed in shades of blue
twilit afternoons
winter’s darkness shrouds the day
while solstice promises spring
***
This tanka prose is in response to Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge. A “tanka prose” is a piece of prose followed by a tanka with syllable count 5/7/5/7/7. For inspiration, she prompted us to write about any festival or tradition we celebrate during the month of December. Happy Solstice!
Myths of the Mirror 
Your words ‘Oh do not despair during these days of dying for the magic of this wise world welcomes the first day of winter with the return of light’ pierced right through into my heart. I just love your writing. It’s from the soul. I felt the solstice this year. My children were sick and so was I but at midnight when they finally fell into fitful sleep i went outside and we had a starry sky. Really puts a little self into perspective of the grand scheme of things. Solstice does promise spring – you remind me to enjoy the beauty of winter as spring travels ever closer. Simply beautiful 🙂
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Thank you, Lenora. I think it’s absolutely magical that on the first day or winter, the light starts to return. What a wonderful gift. It fills me with hope, and always reminds me of nature’s marvelous wisdom. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Enjoy the returning light. Hugs.
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You’ve literally given me hope. I am usually so mopey in the winter, but there is beauty to be seen everywhere. They say if you just train your eye you’ll be more likely to see it more often, haha!
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I believe that. And that nature is full of lessons. We are “of” this planet, not “on” it, and it has everything we need if we pay attention. 🙂
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I feel “you” in this poem as I do in all of your writing, Diana. No matter what I’ve read of yours over the years—poetry, essays, novels—I take away a core sense of facing often stark and unpleasant realities for what they are while always painting them on a larger canvas of hope.
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What a lovely comment, Erik. I just can’t seem to help slipping some hope in there amidst all the darkness. It goes against the grain not to do so. The days are getting longer by inches and spring is right around the corner (as we’re buried in snow. Lol) And I love that! Happy 2022, my friend. May your hopes become realities. ❤
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Wow. So nicely done….
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Thanks, Betsy. I enjoy writing these atmospheric pieces about nature. Happy Solstice and have a wonderful day, my friend. 🙂
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Thanks, Peach! You too! 🙂
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You capture the best image of winter, although it doesn’t look anything like winter here! Thanks for sharing it, Diana! So atmospheric!
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I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, Olga. The image reminds me of winter when I was a kid. Where I live now there’s mostly rain. It’s rather gray and drab. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year, my friend. 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!🥰
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Thanks for dropping by Vashti. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem. And I hope you’re doing well. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Hugs. ❤ ❤
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❤
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Dang! I sometimes forget how much I love and admire your writing.
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Thanks so much for swinging by, Mike, and for the wonderful comment. I hope you’re reading for Christmas and wish you a wonderful holiday and new year. And enjoy the return of the light! Happy Solstice!
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This is beautiful, Diana! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and may 2022 bring joy, love, and peace. xo
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Thanks so much for the visit, Natalie, and for the lovely comment. The solstice is almost here and the days will be growing longer. Yay. Have a wonderful Christmas and joyous New Year. Hugs.
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Your poem makes the winter romantic, lovely, and positive. Yes, no matter how dark the night is, the promised morning will always come. I’m looking out the window and watched the trees get blown sideways by the first rainstorm. So far, only branches were blown off, laying on the ground on our way to the gym. Hubby made a sudden jerk of the car avoiding them and scared me. I looked at the rain and thought of our juicy oranges from the tree.
Happy Holidays to you and your family, Diana!
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Thanks for the visit, Miriam. Winter has it’s positives points (more writing, no yard work, celebrations) but I’m always delighted on the solstice when the light starts its return. And watch out for that wind! The rain is okay, but the wind can be a bit treacherous. And enjoy those oranges! Happy Holidays, my friend. ❤
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That’s right, Diana! I get distracted by the sun, the flowers, the birds, the lizards in the summer, spend time outdoor more often. We can’t keep up with the yard work in the winter. My grandkids’ preschool/daycare use the fallen leaves for their activities.
The sun decided to take a peek before letting the earth turn the other way.
We have probably a thousand oranges. I’m glad it rains. Enjoy your Holidays with your family, my friend. ❤
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Oh my gosh, Miriam. I could live on oranges! Enjoy your blessings. ❤
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We squeeze the oranges and freeze the juice to enjoy for at least four months. ❤
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Yum!
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🍊
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Diana, this is stunning. I love the promise of “the light returning” that echoes through your words. ❤
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Colleen. I really do love writing these. If I can get organized, I want to do your challenge at least once a month this coming year. I going to put it on my calendar! The winter solstice is my “happy day.” I just find this Earth magical and full of wisdom. Hugs, my friend, and Happy Solstice.
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There is something about Yule that makes me happy too. I think its the connection to the old ways that brings me joy. I’m so thrilled you want to jump in the challenges, Diana. On December 28, I have a post going out to share the new challenges for next year. Our first challenge will begin January 4, 2022. Happy New Year! ❤
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Awesome. 🙂
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I love the positivity in this poem, Diana. I am not a winter person, I find it very dreary and cold.
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I liked it better when I lived in a snowy climate, Robbie. Now, its just months and months of gray overcast and rain. The solistice is always a big day for me… like shot in the arm because I know days are going to brighten from then on. I’m glad you enjoyed this. You’re on be verge of summer, so have fun. And you have a vaca coming up!
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Hi Diana, I do have a vacation coming up. I have ended up working an extra week [now there’s a surprise – smile!] so I’m taking my break all around from next week until 10 January.
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Sounds like your vacation will be well-deserved. 🙂 Enjoy
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Beautifully done, Diana!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for reading, Kirt! Much appreciated. Have a wonderful holiday season with you and yours. Hugs.
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Just beautiful!!! 🙂
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Thank you for the visit and for the lovely comment, Linda. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the little piece. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
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Wishing you Happy Holidays as well! 🙂
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Gorgeous, Diana. ❤
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Enduring…that is the key. (K)
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Ha ha ha. Part of it, for sure. Thanks for reading, Kerfe, and Happy Holidays to you and Nina. Hugs.
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Thanks Diana. Almost Solstice! I can feel it. Sending hugs back.
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