The Winter Solstice (No Time for Solipsism Now)
Solstice, a sibilant word
except for that L in the middle
lolloping around like a Christmas drunk.
There’s solace in there too.
A compression of days
a primeval huddling against the dark
that low December sun
illuminating the dust under the sofa
and that kid’s toy from last Christmas
that no one could find.
The promise of longer days to come.
Taking part in Brendan’s solstice challenge over at Desperate Poets
Stopdraggingthepanda 
I like the way you find Christmas joy even within the darkness and the way the gift no one could find last year resurfaces to bring joy this year.
LikeLike
Oh that clever December sun! Here’s to longer and better days!
LikeLike
enjoyed this one; ‘lolloping around like a christmas drunk’ is brilliant; down under of course it’s summer —
LikeLike
you can take the person out of the primeval but you cannot take the “primeval huddling against the dark” out of the person. I liked it so much better when I was burning wood to heat the house. The glowing fires pours out heat and energy and light.
LikeLike
p.s. gorgeous sky! looks like you’re underwater with creamsicles floating on it.
LikeLike
Something spineless about that lolling drunken “l” of “solstice,” lax where light is greatest and yet waking on the floor to see gifts long hidden under the couch. A risen, yawning, bumscratching paean.
LikeLike
“…a primeval huddling against the dark….” exactly! I love that there is solace in it. Always great to read you, Jim.
LikeLike
I love the image of December sun being a glimpse of longer days to come, like a subtle reminder that the warmth is not gone, but merely obscured by the scenery. Beautiful write!
LikeLike