... . .. . . .

Solstice comes on short lived beams
in the coldest time we are offered
the longest night
to sleep
to dream
to seek
to grow
like stalagmites and mites in caves
like mushrooms in the sacred woods

In this dark time there is that which
nudges the spirit
invites
calls forth the shadow dance
the rattle of bare branches
receptive and naked
bare bark embraced by crystalline coats
dripping diamond ice
soaking up starlight
dimmed only by firelight

Inside the cave
rock heart resonates solstice
light gives way to darkness
blessed by the darkness
blessed by the dark cave
come alive with fire
come alive with coming in
come alive with earth's heartbeat
and the silence in between.