Monday 21 December 2009

'The Door of Winter Stands Ajar...'

We sit in the deep night,
the cold midwinter sun fled from our skies,

And all around the frost creeps and cracks,
sparkles in the deepening the dark.


And yet another year has spun around us.

The longest night,
emboldened with a sweeping swathe of milky stars,
And a perfect crescent mother moon
cradled in a bed of cloud, alone in the bitter sky.

And as the night draws deeper round us,
like a friendly whispering ghost,
we light a candle
and smile and nod to one another,

For now the door of winter stands ajar,
with a promise of returning light.

29 comments:

Lisa said...

Lovely! Did you write this?

Ciara Brehony said...

Ah thank you, yes I did write it. It was freezing out and I was very glad to get back to the fire.

Tho I wrote the title in a notebook many years ago and I have a niggle that it was a quote from something. I've googled it to no avail, but no doubt will come across it someday if it was!

Ciara Brehony said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kerry O'Gorman said...

Lovely thoughts on a cold solstice eve...enjoy the holidays...Happy Christmas.

Jenny said...

A beautiful poem, Ciara! (I always enjoy your poetry.) Winter is a great inspiration for writing :) Have a wonderful Christmas!

nancy said...

that is such exquisite imagery on its own without such a gorgeous photograph! how lovely. a very bright and happy Solstice to you, Ciara! i realized today that you and i have extremely similar musical taste. i saw the great lake swimmers this summer for the second time, though this time it was at the hillside music festival and i caught bon iver opening for the bowerbirds july of 2008 in toronto. love justin vernon. it was an amazing concert in a very tiny, intimate venue. nice to see you love him, too. happy holly days! keep warm and keep writing the beautiful stuff you write!

Only A Girl said...

Beautiful. Thank you!

Martin said...

Ciara

This may come through twice.

"..And a perfect crescent mother moon
cradled in a bed of cloud, alone in the bitter sky." Just beautiful.

Lisa said...

a very beautiful post!
happy solstice!
Lisa

Pandorah's Box said...

Beautiful! They evoke such a feeling of comfort for me, your words.

Thank you!

Annah said...

Exquisite Ciara... Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and hope to see you early in the new year.XxA

Mise said...

Happy Christmas, Ciara! I hope you and the family have a merry seasonal fray and that next year is full of brighter hope for you.

Laura said...

ahh ciara...possibility on either side of the door...lovely photo too...so much subtle glow...beckoning us to enter/exit from one space to another.

bright blessings,
laura

Mimi said...

This is beautiful, Ciara.
I didn't even light a candle for solstice, major event overtook me.
The promise of returning light is good.

Sara said...

Oh Ciara, your words touch me each and every time I visit you. These words are especially beautiful.

Love to you and yours during this beautiful time of year. xoxo

Ellen said...

What a lovely image you created. I too saw the crescent moon and noted how I felt upon seeing it. It was a feeling of calm and peace....I didn't get the chance to really absorb it as much as I might have wanted to...such a busy day yesterday. I am glad YOU noted it though and shared this solstice poem.

paintnpencil said...

Beautiful writings, and what a lovely photo, we're on the other end of the scale, and set for about 108 degrees tomorrow, (42-43) Think I really prefer the colder weather. Merry Xmas to you.

Paddy said...

Very nice, Ciara.

Karen said...

Lovely words and picture!
Happy Christmas to you! x

Rebecca S. said...

Lovely imagery, Ciara. You are so good at illustrating your intimate moments for us, and generous, too.

marty, sharon and pearl said...

hey ciara - have a lovely christmas with your lovely family. love sharon & martin x

Moira said...

What a beautiful poem, thank you

Elaine Prunty said...

really lovely and evocative....much better than my one...!!!
Here's wishing you all at milkmoon a really lovely happy christmas and all the best for 2010.
It's been really lovely visiting you here ciara and i've loved having you over at mine too.
xx
elaine

Anonymous said...

Today is eve of a important day ,so,

I’m here to share joy and wish you a merry Christmas full of happiness, a very big hug!

marty, sharon and pearl said...

thanks ciara for your lovely message - i only read your wishes on my work blog after i wrote to you last night so thanks for those too. hope everyone's tucked up in bed waiting for santa....nite nite s x

Devon Ellington said...

So beautiful! Enjoy the season and best wishes for the new decade.

Fine Little Day said...

Lovely writing Ciara. Hope you´re having a great holiday!

Dylana Suarez said...

Lovely blog!

colormenana.blogspot.com

Mel said...

Very lovely, Ciara! I too feel a rising of hope as it turns to the lengthening of days...And you know I love those lanterns you made! I hope Christmas was heartwarming for you and yours and the Holiday Season brings many loved ones to you- that your heart is hemmed in on all sides with warmth and love...

xo