12/21/13:
so winter begins
this thin-sunned solstice
birthing another season,
the furthest in our tilt
from the sun
and no world ended today
at least not visibly
or commented on
but perhaps
it is time to begin another
where we do not mark
the shortest day
but celebrate
the longest night
Susan Daniels Poetry 
That was beautiful, darling. I read a story by Neil Gaiman once (a graphic novel, actually) called Signal to Noise that is about a dying film-maker’s last film about the apocalypse that never was. It was incredibly touching and poignant, and your poem reminded me of it. Gaiman speaks in it of personal apocalypses — that the world is ending for someone every day. I get choked up a little every time I think of it.
If you have the chance to read it, I highly recommend it.
Thanks, Helena. That sounds like a wonderful read, and I will get my hands on it!
but perhaps
it is time to begin another
where we do not mark
the shortest day
but celebrate
the longest night
Well that puts a whole new spin on appreciating the shadow side of things. Not a bad idea.
Thanks, Georgia. This was in my drafts from December 😉
Glad you liked it.
Beautiful writing…we are spoiled now.
Aw, thank you!
Celebrating the longest night – I like that. It’s a “glass half-full” poem!
Oh–a glass half full of night I like very much!
I am as always an optimist 😉
Celebrating the longest night… you should come to Sweden how we do it properly… with candles and song… and really a beautiful thought.
Oh, now that sounds great! And your night never really ends, does it?
smiles…like a glass half full or empty….all in how we look at it….the fullness…i rather like looking to that side myself….smiles….
Me, too, Brian. Thanks for stopping by!
Love that title.
And great poem as well.
Aw, thank you!
Magical writing here, Susan. I felt as though it was going to go political, i.e. the worlds that are ending with war but we don’t see them covered… but no, it’s more personal than that. I’ve seen many the tsunaME and lived to tell. Your celebration of the longest night, so apt… and yet, that’s the night many churches set aside for (mostly non-believers) to get respite and speak of the grief that’s making them hate the whole Christmas Crap season.
And it that way, it becomes a celebration of unburdening, of communicating, of bonding. GREAT write, Susan. Amy
Amy, thank you! Wonderful comment here–so much depth. Glad this spoke to you.
There is utter brilliance in “thin-sunned” and celebrating the longest night.
Thank you, Shrinks. Long time no see. Glad you posted some of your brilliance today!
Missed you; it has been a thousand years too long.
The ending to this was just a soothing warmth of tenderness and awesomeness.
Everything you have described in this poem is incredibly universal. 🙂
Thank you, Charlie!
You are sooooo….welcome. 🙂
To celebrate the longest night, that would be a switch wouldn’t it? Love this.
AAThank you!
I think if we celebrated the longest night it would be at least a way of using the lemons to make lemonade. LOL. Partying on in the pitch dark might make it tolerable. Ha.
Hee, hee. I agree. I am SO not a winter person, though.
Your poem makes me consider the wonders of the longest night, brimming with time and potential for reflection, appreciation, acceptance, determination. So many possibilities.
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/08/20/transformation-2/
Thank you, Kim.
Sings..always look on the bright side of life 🙂
Thanks, Jen.
There is something to be said for a long winter night… something to love about each of the seasons. But even more, I love the circle of this poem, finding the silver lining. beautiful.
Thanks, Kelly!
I like the way you always stand words on end – change the viewpoint, keep things fresh, see the world upside down. You make me smile, think, feel, see and love all you write.
Thank you, Gay.
What a lovely view of the changing season and coming of winter ~ to be embraced. Thank you
THank you!
I love the idea of celebrating the longest night. I see this as an essay on optimism vs. pessimism!
Thanks, Victoria. That’s a great way to look at it.
We are moving into Spring soon and already my little heart is bursting with love yearnings and I don’t care whether the day is long short or whatever…Don’t mind me I’m just primitive:)
I love your primitive-ness 😉
I love the last lines..not marking the shortest day but celebrating the longest night..for indeed if we look with positivity, there is joy to celebrate in the night, even a chilled winter night..enjoyed your poem
Oh, thank you so much for the wonderful comment!
You’ve got my vote, Susan!