Notes About The Poem

I was very fortunate to visit Stonehenge as a very young child, although it was not at the time of the summer solstice it was a magical mystical experience. At that time you could touch and climb on the stones but now they are protected because of erosion issues

Summer Solstice At Stonehenge

Dawn at Stonehenge, where white robed figures take center stage, this ancient ceremony has been performed there since the Ice Age. Summer Solstice or Alban Hefin means ‘the light of the shore’ Druids celebrate this rite of ‘the cycle of life’ since days of yore. Our sun’s strength is declining as we approach the waning year. the solar god is crowned, ‘arise o sun’ is the chant onlookers hear. Summer solstice is a time to celebrate renewal, fertility and life, and many give thanks for the souls of the departed in the afterlife Summer Solstice Contest Sponsored by Shadow Hamilton 06~04~16
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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A  Avatar
July 24, 2016 at 1:19 AM
Lovely summer win... Skat
Allison Avatar
July 24, 2016 at 5:45 AM
Thanks Skat - great memories from my childhood - it's a wonderful place to visit:-) hugs jan xx
Murray Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 4:10 PM
Well done Jan. We have the Hill of Tara in Ireland, but only the chosen few may enter on that date.
Allison Avatar
June 7, 2016 at 1:48 AM
Thanks Jean:-) hugs Jan xx
Misra Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 3:40 AM
Congrats, Jan, on a really wonderful poem and your terrific win. I wrote about the rituals at Stonehenge with references to Alban Hefin and Alban Arthan and a lot of other stuff, but it didn't see the light of day in the contest. Yours is very beautiful and very much within context. ~karam~
Allison Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 9:07 AM
Oh I'm sorry you didn't place Karam - I have visited Stonehenge as a very young child but it is only now I learned about the reason for the ritual. Put your poem in the 2nd chance contests to get extra exposure to your poem - will drop by and read it:-) hugs Jan xx
James Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 12:09 AM
Congrats on n great win
Allison Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Thanks so much James:-) hugs Jan xx
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 10:21 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful win! ; )
Allison Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Thanks so much Connie I really enjoyed this challenge:-) hugs Jan xx
Roper Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 10:11 PM
Jan, Congratulations on your win!!!!!! Hugs Eve
Allison Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Thanks so much Eve:-) hugs Jan xx
De Burca Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Well done and congrats in the competition, great poem.
Allison Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Thanks so much Seosamh:-) hugs Jan xx
Scars Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 5:01 PM
jan, congrats on your placement in the contest! :)-luloo
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 5:52 PM
cheers my dear:-) hugs jan xx
Haight Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 4:44 PM
Congratulations on your win in this Summer Solstice Premiere Contest, Jan. Beautifully written! Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 5:52 PM
Thanks so much Sandra:-) hugs Jan xx
Hamilton Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 4:35 PM
well researched Jan and quite lovely too yes there is a great sense of mystery and the stones seem to vibrate when touched congrats on placing hugs
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 5:51 PM
Many thanks Shadow it was lovely to go back to Stonehenge even if it was only through my poem it brought back some wonderful memories:-) hugs Jan xx
Trifiatis Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 3:39 PM
Beautifully written and very informative! Excellent dearest, Jan! I feel so sorry that someone has hurt you. I wish I could do something about it for I abhor people who wrong other people! Let the love of your friends heal your heart and soul! You have my love and support! Hugs!
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 3:42 PM
Thanks Demetrios - I know and understand I should forgive but some issues can never be rectified - I pity this person truly I do but forgive is something I can never ever do:-( hugs Jan xx
Vaso Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 10:14 AM
am at a loss for words, so beautiful, and would be great to visit when it was possible to actually touch and feel this history.
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 10:18 AM
It is a magical mystical place to visit Arthur - I was about 5 the first time when we went and I will never forget being able to clamber on the actual stones and touch them :-)hugs Jan xx
Hauser  Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Another great piece
Allison Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 3:28 AM
Thanks Mike:-) hugs jan xx
Godwin Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 9:03 PM
Definitely a Jan write; excellent form, rhyme and content that work together to form a clear and comprehensive painting. A wonderful write, Jan - a gift to us all ... CayCay
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Thanks CayCay - I think English Heritage were probably concerned about safety with the stability of the stones - not exactly sure of the exact reason its been many many many years since i last visited:-) hugs jan xx
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 6:08 PM
It would be very difficult for me, being a tactile person, not to embrace the stones. I do understand why they need to keep people away though. I will bet this heads the list of winners! #7 ; )
Godwin Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 8:59 PM
(I bet people are kept away because of law suits. Law suits have restricted many freedoms.)
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 6:15 PM
It is many many years since we last visited I know they have a visitors center but I don't think you can get close to the stones like you used to do when I was a child:-( hugs jan xx
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 6:07 PM
We are more attached to our heavenly bodies than any of us realize. We could not exist without the sun or the moon. Your poem makes us aware of that fact and is excellent Jan. I loved hearing about your experience. Though I have been to England twice, I just never got the chance to visit there. I have always wanted to. contd.
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 6:10 PM
I visited at least twice when I was a tiny child but can still remember it so vividly:-) hugs jan xx
Stebbings Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 4:37 PM
Well expressed piece, Jan. I used to live near Stonehenge and liked it when it was devoid of humans, isolated in its ancient meaning.
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 5:02 PM
It's an amazing spiritual place to visit I still have such memories even though I was only very tiny when we went:-) hugs jan xx
Andresen Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 1:28 PM
- Impressive - (I've burned my fingers, only short comments today :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 1:38 PM
Oh dear Anne Lise typing must be difficult for you hope you heal quickly:-) hugs jan xx
Raha Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Oh This is excellent Jan,beautiful capture of Stonehenge with rich colorful words.Brilliant write.
Allison Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 12:01 PM
Thanks so much Miraj I visited many many many years ago but I still can picture it so vividly in my minds eye:-) hugs Jan xx
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