WINTER SOLSTICE 2014 by Bob Paris (c)

Fear not this dark, dear companion / Luxuriant depth swallows whole / A hundred million questions tenfold / That you carry on your heart but silent / Hidden away for a moment fleeting / Down in this valley of the moon / Rejoice that we are here, sweet shadow / For how shall we truly know light / Now so far away beyond that ridge / Except to cradle her twin sister / Tender as a newborn / Understanding that at least / Our next step leads upward / Toward a racing star / So sing with me, my true friend / A fresh Winter’s knowing dirge / Enfolded in this depth, we’ll go now / And leave behind all fear