Poets’ Corner: Rosemerry & Elissa for the Solstice

20 Dec Poets’ Corner: Rosemerry & Elissa for the Solstice

The term solstice means “sun stands still.” On the year’s two solstices (winter and summer) the sun appears to halt in its incremental journey across the sky and change little in position during this time. Of course, contrary to appearances from Earth, the sun’s “changing position” throughout the year is actually caused by the rotation of the Earth on its tilted axis as it circles the sun each year. The solstice occurs twice a year (around December 21st or 22nd and June 21st) when the sun is farthest from the tilting planet’s celestial equator. In modern times Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, which falls on December 25. However, it is believed the date was chosen to offset pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. Some believe that celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in sync with the December solstice because from that point onwards, days begin to have more daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Find a few more facts about the winter solstice on Mashable.

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer (Word Woman) is your co-host at the monthly Talking Gourds Poetry Club. Her words for the Solstice should bring light to the darkness in the sky – and perhaps into our hearts during these divisive times.

And while we are on the subject of  darkness and light, San Miguel Poet Laureate (and director of adult programming at the Telluride Library), Elissa Dickson, one of the brightest lights in our community, sings in harmony with Rosemerry and welcomes the light too.

Almost to the Solstice:

Word Woman Rosemerry Trommer, courtesy reallife photographs.

There is a light and it never goes out
—The Smiths, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

And even in these darkest days
in the darkest rooms
with the darkest thoughts
and the darkest words
with the darkest songs
in the dark-full ears
and when the darkening dreams
weights the darkest fear
even then there’s a light
and it never goes out,
even then, when the eyes
know only doubt, even then,
even then, there’s a hand
eager to spill shine
into our cup and all
we need to do is drink,
then pour a bit of shine
for someone else.

When Skies Are Gray

We used to sing
You are my sunshine,
sang it like
a children’s song,
all glitter and wing.
That was before
we knew
how dark it can get,
sky without stars,
night without moon.
Even the brightest songs
can be sung in a minor key.
That is no reason
to stop singing.
That’s the time
to ask someone
to dance, please,
slow, your bodies
practicing how
to make light.

 

Elissa Dickson