Solstice Night

So now there falls the longest dark, The hours of stars and cold That in their icy silence reign Above a world full dropped to rest.. The winds carry off another year As the newborn next comes stealing in. We turn within to find ourselves, To dream of what may come to birth Out of the death of what has been. The fire cracks upon its grate; Ashes sigh and settle. Tomorrow's shadow stands await Against the door As all things turn upon the fulcrum of the night. What wisdoms we are granted Stir deep within the deeper quiet. May they rise in us with the rising light That draws along the dawn. The old year sinks into its Forever sleep; But let us bring its lessons to the new, For the life unexamined is a fallow field Untouched by hand or heart. A new year beckons, World turning back to face the sun. Let it find us fresh with hope, As does a bridegroom find His smiling, waiting love.