the final dying of the light
as the old year quickly wanes
seasons circle back again
life’s cycles will reprise
as a new year does arrise
may the power of light’s rebirth
bring you blessings of the earth
to bask in new born light
day’s warmth ever increases
night’s chill grip slowly releases
light slowly overtakes the dark
sun shifts the journey of its arc
each new day light longer burns
‘til Summer Solstice peak light returns
we then enter the realm of dimming
earth’s bounty swells to brimming
earth’s daily light grows ever less
earth’s harvest nears readiness
as the harvest cycle ends
stalks lie down in fields again
when full bounty has been reaped
earth prepares again to sleep
to cross once more this solstice night
this final dying of the light
as the old year quickly wanes
blessed seasons circle back again
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2018
revised © 2021
Such lovely writing, Rob. I am at my sister’s farm right now, in a valley, very grey and foggy this time of year, so i resonate with our sensitivity to the light even more than usual.
Thank you Sherry! 🙂
A lovely hymn, Rob, seeped in the majesty of the moment. “In The Bleak Midwinter” is the anthem for it, thanks for sharing the two versions. Merry Christmas to you and your poetry.
Thank you Brendan, may 2022 be a year of peace, hope, and growth!
Your poem shows deep respect for the cycles of nature. Heres to the longer days returning! Hope you are having a great Holiday Season!
You as well Ingrid, thank you.
I love the cyclical feel of this. Down here in southern Australia right now the days are long and it’s slowly warming up to a summer weather – if only the winds would stop for a while.
Thank you Suzanne. Fascinating how small the world can be for how big it is. Enjoy your summer, and snug that hat down in the wind… ?????????
Love these versions of the song. The meter, your rhymes–both rock into restfulness and a feeling of bounty.
Thank you Susan, very much! 🙂
Our year has ended in fog and damp too, but the sun is back for a while, and spirits are lifting.
Let’s hope the sun shines upon us all in 2022 Jane!