And this, on the shortest day of the year…

“Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude. ”
~William Shakespeare

Winter Solstice at Machu Picchu

The sun's first rays... Winter Solstice, Machu Picchu

The Andean Cross at Machu Picchu is only visible during the Solstices

At the Temple of Three Windows

 

Winter Solstice

 Winter Solstice  by Jody Aliesan

http://www.ravenchronicles.org/nwwriter/index/aliesan/aliesan.htm

Grief Sweat (Broken Moon Press, 1990)

 

Thinking only makes the heart sore. – I Ching

 

 

when you startle awake in the dark morning

heart pounding breathing fast

sitting bolt upright staring into

dark whirlpool black hole

feeling its suction

 

get out of bed

knock at the door of your nearest friend

ask to lie down beside ask to be held

 

listen while whispered words

turn the hole into deep night sky

stars close together

winter moon rising over white fields

nearby a wren rustling dry leaves

distant owl echoing

two people walking up the road laughing

 

let your soul laugh

let your heart sigh out

that long held breath so hollow in your stomach

so swollen in your throat

 

already light is returning pairs of wings

lift softly off your eyelids one by one

each feathered edge clearer between you

and the pearl veil of day

 

you have nothing to do but live