Winter Solstice

You find a place where
the sun reaches across 
the river with a little feeble
warmth to rest on your face.
Soon it will be the shortest day.

The shadows are cold
and stretch out like fingers,
pinching at what light 
you've managed to keep
flickering within yourself.

You find something pleasant
to think about, a memory 
perhaps, a fancy,
anything to put into
an old heater to keep
you warm and give out
a comforting glow.

It is then, images begin 
to take form in flame
as something in you stirs
and writes itself in ash 
to mark another winter solstice
on the walls of your
hibernating soul.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Lane Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 7:45 AM
Paul, you've transformed an instance in time into something to be treasured with a thought, a memory that warms a soul to prevent it from hibernating... just a tiny titch longer. Beautiful.
Willason Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Many thanks for your comments Lin...always reassuring to know that the sun is on its way back after the solstice. Take care, Paul
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