Winter Solstice

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky...

All the world is knit in darkness
A cobweb net of stars
Holds the earth suspended
In midnight and frost
In the fires that beat back encroaching night
I find my craft refined

What does it mean
To scatter with the clouds
Words rising like the moon
Deep and long like shadows cast
From the flickering light
To hammer into meaning
The rhyme and reason of an old year
Passing into the new

I am a bard of ages past
A songstress, a talespinner
A weaver of mystery and moonlight
In the warp and weft of words
Dark days stretch out but
I am a bringer of light

Sing out, you bells
Ring in our fortunes
In the fading peals one voice
Rises in the smoke of all that’s passed
Fast away, our counting done,
I wait for newborn words
To carry me through the night



-Zoe Richardson (2022)

Author's Note

A song to keep the dark at bay. A fire to light and show the way.

Reviews

[hazy]

An enchanting poem. You do an excellent job with creating life and stories in your poetry.

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words and your visit. Please come back again!

[light and ashes]

"a cobweb net of stars" is really nice.....
There is some really good stuff here.
I really like the ending or the conclusion to this poem.

[Zoe Richardson]

I wanted to convey time as a story and words as our clocks. I'm not sure I succeeded, but i am glad you enjoyed the effort!

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful expression Zoe. So poetic your description. I hope this new year brings you all you need and the words to carry you through the darkness. A wonderful new year poem. May yours be a happy and healthy one.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

So sorry to be wishing you Happy New Year when it's almost Valentine's Day. The practicalities of life always seem to get in the way of writing time. But I am glad you enjoyed my efforts and appreciate your kind words so very much!

[Gee]

Happy New year Zoe.
This poem a good way to start both for you and us the reader.
Hope you are keeping well :)

[Zoe Richardson]

I am a full-time volunteer at our local animal shelter. I manage the office and handle public relations. I am busier than a one-legged man at a butt-kicking contest but my New Year's resolution is to devote more time to my poetry. And that of my fellow poets! I am so glad you liked this one. It means a lot that you come here.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and Zoe, that fire of inspiration is with you.
And now you have brought it into 2023...
Newborn words may carry us all through this new year.
and tonight is a good start.
j.

[Zoe Richardson]

It is! Sometimes words are all we have, and all we need. They are comfort, sustenance, strength, and reassurance. I hope the fires of inspiration burn bright for you in the New Year, my friend!