It is nearly the winter solstice
Darkness lays upon the land
Seeping between buildings
Curling into cracks
Reaching tentacles that
squeeze the lungs and heart
It is hard to breath
or to feel anything
but despair
Then we string lights
across the street
from neighbor to neighbor
We decorate our front stoops
and railings
I wrap my juniper in tiny colors
and my friend puts up a blow up snowman
The street lights up
Warmth returns as we pass the lights
from one hand to another
from one home to another
Peace and joy reign.
gaia mouse 