Winter Solstice

The Shortest Day

So the shortest day came, and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

to drive the dark away;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive,

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us - Listen!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, fest, give thanks

And dearly love their friends

And hope for peace.

And so do we her, now,

This year and every year,

Welcome Yule!

Susan Cooper

written for The Christmas Revels

A happy Solstice to one and all at this turning point of the year.

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*