Winter Solstice

Photo courtesy of Osprey webcam Golden Gate Audubon Society.

​Solstice Afternoon
On the nest lone osprey
Looks out over gray Bay
Watching, waiting…Does he know
The days will soon grow longer
The sun will shine stronger
And soon his loyal mate
Northward will migrate?
 
Solstice Evening
Lone shepherd on a hill
Looks up into dark sky
Watching, wondering…Does he know
To a world weary and worn
A child will soon be born
First called a pariah
Then a Messiah?
 
This and every year
Solstice again draws near
We look past city lights
Watching, waiting, we now know
The days will soon grow longer,
The sun will shine stronger,
The Earth turn without cease
To one day know peace? 

-MW
​

On this darkest night
Shivering birds take flight,
Flee the bitter cold
E’er Winter takes hold.
 
In our Winter, we
Too from darkness flee,
Turn from ceaseless strife
Seeking hope in life.
 
Yet soon the Earth will turn
The days grow warm and long
And with their joyful song
 The birds will then return.
 
So as the bleak year’s done
May we with hope now greet,
Go forth in peace to meet,
The new with voices one.
 
May we wisdom and love,
Goodwill and caring learn.
And from our hatred turn
To seek light from above.
 
But first, this darkest night
Let us be still, let us pause,
Listen to nobler cause,
And then go forth renewed,.
Emerging from our night
To seek the New Year’s light.
 
 -MW


​
In Wintertimes of old
When Earth grew dark and cold
The people went inside.
 
They sat by fireside,
Lit the yule log bright
To chase away the night.
 
And o’er the years they learned
That Earth forever turned
And snow to Spring would cede.
 
So we, in time of need,
These times that are so rife,
With discord, war and strife,
 
Must look within to find
The good within mankind
 The peace for which we yearn,
 
Wait for the Universe to turn
Witness again the birth
Of Goodwill, Peace on Earth!

-MW