SOLSTICE
2001
Slowly,
Ever so
slowly,
The sun begins its
northbound swing . . .
The deep darkness
of winter lessens . . .
Each day - a bit
more light . . .
Each day a tiny
bit closer to rebirth . . .
It will take
time
for the warmth to
come . . .
Time
For the sap to
begin flowing again . . .
Time
For the fresh, new
greens to appear . . .
Time
For the Aspens,
the Maples, the Oaks, the Willows . . .
Even more time for
the Tamarac . . .
But the new life
will spring forth.
Each year . .
.
We fill our homes
with light
In this darkness .
. .
We decorate,
inside and out . . .
Our little lights
calling out to the sky:
"Remember us . .
."
"Begin your return
. . ."
"Bring the warmth
the countryside needs."
Perhaps this year
especially
We feel the depths
of the darkness.
September 11th
forced us into it early.
Perhaps that is
why
This winter has
not been so harsh.
The Lord, The Lady
. . .
Our God, Our
Goddess . . .
Who knows our
pain,
In ever-present
compassion,
Has softened the
darkness.
Slowly,
Ever so
slowly,
The sun begins its
northbound swing . . .
~ The Rev. Thomas
Oberg
December 2001
Music: Silent
Night
Tom Oberg is a Lutheran pastor
in Minnesota
This copyrighted
poem is used with his permission
Background
by Heikki
Luhtala
