Day 182: Winter Solstice

'In winter's house there's a child
asleep in a dream of light that grows out
of the dark,'

Today is the Winter Solstice, when the sun stands still before reversing direction, heralding a new season. The day when we welcome the returning of the light. 

The day 'where the darkness gives way to light', when we acknowledge that light can overcome any darkness. And the resulting feeling - hope - is the season's trademark characteristic. A pretty powerful talisman -   'a flame you can hold in your hand/like a flower or a torch on the street.'

In Winter's House - Jane Draycott

In winter's house there's a room
that's pale and still as mist in a field
while outside in the street every gate's shut firm,
every face as cold as steel.

In winter's house there's a bed
that is spread with frost and feathers, that gleams
in the half-light like rain in a disused yard
or a pearl in a choked-up stream.

In winter's house there's a child
asleep in a dream of light that grows out
of the dark, a flame you can hold in your hand
like a flower or a torch on the street.

In winter's house there's a tale
that's told of a great chandelier in a garden,
of fire that catches and travels for miles,
of all gates and windows wide open.

In winter's house there's a flame
being dreamt by a child in the night,
in the small quiet house at the turn in the lane
where the darkness gives way to light.