On Winter Solstice eve

Some folks consider tomorrow to be midwinter because it’s halfway between the autumn and spring equinoxes. Others count it as the first day of winter. Tomorrow’s high temperature is expected to be around 42℉. If we really are that warm at midwinter, we’ll be doing well. It’s what happens over the next eight to ten weeks that has me concerned. Unlike woods into which one can only go halfway, in the North Country some winters feel endless. Maybe this one won’t.

Today’s sunshine may be the last glimpse we get for the next week or so. It’s supposed to rain Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, plus the day after. That may help explain why Minnesota’s new state flag is mostly two shades of blue. Water, water everywhere or, as someone posted on social media: “Minnesota is now the LOON STAR STATE!” Look out Texas!

no critter complaints about our weather

Photo by J. Harrington

According to the Minnesota Weather Guide Calendar, sunrise and sunset occur at the same time today and tomorrow. However, the Time and Date web site lists similar times but tomorrow’s day length is four seconds shorter than today's and tomorrow night and Friday morning make up the longest night, I think (YMMV). Since locally days are always within a day, but nights are part of two “days” it does get a bit confusing. I just hope it doesn’t mess up Santa’s schedule next week. He has to stay ahead of, or is it behind?, the sunrise to get his work done. Then he, his elves, reindeer, and all the rest of us should take it easy until next year.

Re-Incarnation

By Eva Gore-Booth

The darkness draws me, kindly angels weep

Forlorn beyond receding rings of light,

The torrents of the earth’s desires sweep

My soul through twilight downward into night.

Once more the light grows dim, the vision fades,

Myself seems to myself a distant goal,

I grope among the bodies’ drowsy shades,

Once more the Old Illusion rocks my soul.

Once more the Manifold in shadowy streams

Of falling waters murmurs in my ears,

The One Voice drowns amid the roar of dreams

That crowd the narrow pathway of the years.

I go to seek the starshine on the waves,

To count the dewdrops on the grassy hill,

I go to gather flowers that grow on graves,

The world’s wall closes round my prisoned will.

Yea, for the sake of the wild western wind

The sphered spirit scorns her flame-built throne,

Because of primroses, time out of mind,

The Lonely turns away from the Alone.

Who once has loved the cornfield’s rustling sheaves,

Who once has heard the gentle Irish rain

Murmur low music in the growing leaves,

Though he were god, comes back to earth again.

Oh Earth! green wind-swept Eirinn, I would break

The tower of my soul’s initiate pride

For a gray field and a star-haunted lake,

And those wet winds that roam the country side.

I who have seen am glad to close my eyes,

I who have soared am weary of my wings,

I seek no more the secret of the wise,

Safe among shadowy, unreal human things.

Blind to the gleam of those wild violet rays

That burn beyond the rainbow's circle dim,

Bound by dark nights and driven by pale days,

The sightless slave of Time’s imperious whim;

Deaf to the flowing tide of dreams divine

That surge outside the closed gates of birth,

The rhythms of eternity, too fine

To touch with music the dull ears of earth—

I go to seek with humble care and toil

The dreams I left undreamed, the deeds undone,

To sow the seed and break the stubborn soil,

Knowing no brightness whiter than the sun.

Content in winter if the fire burns clear

And cottage walls keep out the creeping damp,

Hugging the Old Illusion warm and dear,

The Silence and the Wise Book and the Lamp.

********************************************
Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.