December delivers the darkest hour
at the solstice, delays dawn
dusts daytime away in a fleeting sweep
of the hour hand
and proffers instead a lengthening eve
an interplay with luminescence
animatedly the yearbook pages flicker
flashbacks in firelight
bulb and candle burn with brooding 

the ground beyond is in lock down now
'though nothing is lifeless except the dying
you can hear a slow cold breathing earth
audible as companion on a winter walk
each foggy night it visibly exhales
mist manifests from the marshes
our lungs phosphoresce with frost 

December delivered my father between the wars
and took him deftly down in blood and gore
at the end, in peace time, piece by piece
I cannot dwell there every year
for the babe is always born again
another reprieve, a further sign allowed
so faith may allay ignorance
and lay enduring doubt to rest

36 thoughts on “December delivery”

1. The darkest hours are coming but I am awaiting for the babe to be born again ~ A hopeful note to end the year ~

   Have a Merry Christmas to you and your family!

   1. Ending with a new lifei in the cycle of hope – many thanks Grace for your thoughtful comments & wishing you all the best for Christmas and 2018

2. These are the darkest time of the year… we need that light to lead the way into the future.

   1. We just have to look for it Björn- enjoy the Christmas break & see you in 2018

3. though nothing is lifeless except the dying
   you can hear a slow cold breathing earth
   audible as companion on a winter walk… beautiful lines Laura.. what amazing images you’ve conjured up here.

   1. What a lovely comment to end with – many thanks and all best wishes for 2018

4. Thank you for your beautiful words, which evoke the Winter Solstice so well (even though I am experiencing Summer here) – and also for directing us to Rowan Williams’s poem. I had no idea he was a poet, let alone such a wonderful one.

   1. The summer solstice casts quite a different perspective and yet still we can connect – thank you for all your support Rosemary

   2. Ps Williams as poet has been a surprise to me too

5. Winter solstice is my favorite annual hour — Earth is not dead, death breathes in it. There are so many delightful forays into the other world of winter solstice here though the terrain is not sweet (the epigraph reminds us how bloody birth is). The father’s presence here is like Hamlet’s Ghost, walking on the periphery, whispering Remember and Adieu. Fine stuff.

   1. Wonderfully wistful feedback and thank you for your interpretation of my father’s presence here

6. Beautiful and meaningful poem thank you for sharing.

   1. And thank you for reading

7. In spite of the darkest hours there’s light, new birth, that makes us look forward to the coming days. So beautifully put….

   1. Potent symbol is the light at this time of year – all good wishes for 2018

8. Lovely, big ambitious write, Laura – you swept me away…

   1. Overwhelmed by your remarks – many thanks Scott

9. I really like that “slow cold breathing earth”…..December, a time of remembering.

   1. An introspective time indeed Sherry – happy New Year

10. Indeed, in spite of the darkest hours there’s light and renewal, that makes us look forward to coming days.❤️ Beautifully penned.

    1. Long for the light but that’s a way away so we learn to keep pace with time and tide

11. Yes, one can not dwell in sadness when there’s living to be done. Merry Christmas, Laura

    1. I try to take in both Sarah – hope you have a very good Christmas

12. The older I get, the more I appreciate experiencing the winter solstice. I’m not going to say I like it–the cold or the dark–but I appreciate its significance and the power that comes with moving through it. Christmas Blessings to you and yours, Laura. 🙂

    1. Many thanks Beth for all your visits here – no doubt your garden is in lock down but far from dying! Have a blessed Christmas and a good New Year

13. Beautiful Post! I love the way you wove the darkness and Light!
    Dwight

    1. Thank you Dwight – the yin yang are inseparable. All good wishes for 2018

14. A stunning write Laura, beautifully writ.
    Anna :o]

    1. Always appreciate your very appreciative words Anna…Happy Christmas! And good wishes for the New year

15. I liked the sound, especially alliteration, in this line which sets up expectation: “bulb and candle burn with brooding”

    1. Oh yes the long winter hours of introspection – meanwhile I send you the greetings of the season with thanks Frank

16. So beautifully expressed, Laura. A very moving story.

    1. Lovely comment Amy – hope you have a very good Christmas and New year

       1. To you too, Laura. 🙂 🙂

17. Yes, I think you got it just right…all the feelings of winter…and the hope, too.

    1. Thank you Sue and hope you have a good Christmas

Comments are closed.