As I walk toward my car, on this year’s shortest day,
Comes a craving for shelter from shopping’s mad fray.
Though the lights, trees, and holly all beckon with cheer,
All I crave is home’s haven: to drop all veneers.

So as evening quickens with deepening dusk
I anticipate calmness: escape from crowds brusque.
Not uncommon, my exit from groups or loud frays,
But unusually strong, this pull towards my heart’s maze.

When my car is attained, the calm contrast brings tears
for its stillness evokes thoughts of losses this year.
In five months my dear in-laws, (Dad-, Mom— & step-mom)
all passed on; and days still are mine fields of grief-bombs.

Still, their legacy boggles: each chose to embrace
me and call me their son, and with caring encase.
Such a gift to be loved so, from freedom of choice;
It’s grief’s balance: this welcome, in which I rejoice.

In their wake, yes, is loss; keen and broad is its pall,
yet this awe-wondered gratitude underpins all.
So today, shortest day, am I mindful once more
that life’s rhythms bring wisdom, if I choose to explore:

Though appearances are that both winter and death
bring an ending to all I know: surcease of breath;
both Spring’s promised renewal and memories so dear
yet compel me two-fold to succumb not to drear.

First, tomorrow will bring, past this year’s longest night
days of e’e-strengthening vigor, with warmth, hope and light
to renew, laugh, and animate: new dreams incite.

Second, knowing thus that to all life comes an end,
Let me savor each moment, and friendships attend.

As I take leave of shoppers, then, I do embrace
these reminders to seek time in each day’s quick pace
ways to cherish all those I call family and friends
noting moments of simple grace, all to transcend.

Copyright 2009 Cal J Domingue

The tree lights glow bright:
they’re a beacon this night
that brings hope and delight
and gives flight to dark’s blight.

By this simplest scene: lights; a tree; carols heard,
from my heart, mirror-bright, glowing warmth is bestirred.

So I wonder, for years, what was such a big deal
if our tree should artificialize or stay real?
Yes the absence of fir-scent this year’s a bit sad,
but to leave forest hills undisturbed? Totally rad.

And for scents, they abound and surround; no mistaking
our traditions: jam-making and chocolate-chip baking.
So sugary cinnamon, chocolate, and spice
fill our home with aromas that soothe and entice.

‘Mid these scents flow the crystalline light and crisp air
that suffuse this short day with stark beauty laid bare.
As dusk falls, glowing peace emanates from our tree;
though man-made and unchanging, its magic flows free.

Then I smile as this truth resonates through my core,
that the form matters not, for whate’er its allure
it’s a symbol’s intent that crafts meaning from lore
such as tree lights this shortest night bringing hope to the fore.

At the foot of this tree on this year’s longest night
tears of joy fill my heart as I sit and I write
for I know as this dawn means days lengths’ will increase
so with focus, compassion, and love, strife will cease.

Toward that end, I renew on this night every year
(so that when, in good time, as our last days draw near
not one doubt will remain of my affection sincere)
my heart- pledge to acknowledge all friends far and near:
to not hide from conflict; to not speak from fear;
to say often and clearly that their esteem I hold dear.

With that thought, I retire and heed sleep’s bed-call,
warmly wishing you hope, health,and joy: peace to all.

Copyright 2008 Cal J Domingue