The Longest Night

Light a little candle,

let its flickering flame,

dispel the earthly darkness;

chase the shadows down.

Unwrap the tissue-ed memories,

festoon the festive tree,

garland in light and tinsel,

sprinkle well with Love.

Remember the Ancient Story,

Troll the angel’ song,

sung first to simple shepherds

beyond the city wall.

By firelight and candle flame,

cosy by the fire,

 read messages of love and cheer

from friends afar and dear…

Sometimes Christmas memories

take us unaware,

when the one who made them

is no longer there…

Here in the Northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice has arrived with the longest night, darkness will fall just after 4:00 pm although recently it has been dark by three. Moonlit nights have been rare (or maybe it’s that I’ve been ill for three weeks and just missed them). Oscar and I watched the stars twinkle in the early morning as the lighthouse flung its beam across the Firth. The longest night means that soon the nights will begin to draw out again and Spring is already on its way! John Clare has such a positive view of Winter enjoying the seasons as they fall.

The winter comes; I walk alone,
I want no bird to sing;
To those who keep their hearts their own
The winter is the spring.
No flowers to please–no bees to hum–
The coming spring’s already come.

I never want the Christmas rose
To come before its time;
The seasons, each as God bestows,
Are simple and sublime.
I love to see the snowstorm hing;
‘Tis but the winter garb of spring…

The Winter’s Spring

 John Clare (1793-1864)