solstice

snow covered the trees and headstones
in an old cemetery where time
became both present and past;
the winds whispered through pines
as souls of the dead passed by
unnoticed.
they are amongst the winds;
the heavens escape our moment.

it was the day of the year's renewal
where silence of long winter’s nights
breaks only momentarily
allowing dreams to subside
into the few waking hours
where we enter into the search
for an understanding of the circle
of the life-death continuum.

candles illuminate the night,
the wood of the floor reflecting
flames, flickering and dancing
in hope for a quick ending
to winter’s long night.
the flute and guitar
warm the soul with each note;
death holds the illusion
and life presents the solemnity.

but, the graveyard holds only silence
in this day of renewal.
in the midst of the headstones and graves,
where the snows blanket
the iniquities of the land,
and our souls chase those within the winds
searching for tomorrow. 

the evergreens outside
and inside the house
give us hope in the renewal of time.

-- EjG / 2005

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And both Solomon and the Scribe walked among the graves days before the winter’s solstice.

“Do you see the beauty of the graveyard?” asked Solomon.

“I do

“Where?”

“I see it in the trees, the snow, the clouds, the scurrying animals and the gravestones. When you cannot see the beauty in these things then life is at its end”

“Merry Christmas and warm solstice to you,” said Solomon. “May you find warmth and understanding upon this day of renewal.

“And to you, as well,” stated the Scribe.

A man by the name of Icarus introduced himself to them, he was the keeper of the dead, the sexton. The three of them prayed for silence solemnity, and peace in the coming time. Winter’s passage is nothing more than a sexton letting the souls be free, which is all Solomon and the Scribe searched for.

“Come with us, Icarus,” asked the Solomon.

Icarus hugged both Solomon and the Scribe, placed his responsibilities upon the ground, and left with the two. 

Life cannot be found within the headstones; nor can death be found within life.