And so the Shortest Day came and the year diedAnd everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!
Susan Cooper, The Shortest Day
One of my personal Yuletide holiday traditions is to read the five volumes of Susan Cooper's magnificent "Dark is Rising" cycle every year. Although Yule has passed by now, her lovely Christmas Revels poem is perfect for this whole holiday interval in which we celebrate the return of light to the world.
8 comments:
As usual - all your sharing is a blessing to me. Special wishes sent over the miles to you this day - Dear Cate.
Good morning. I love the poem, The Shortest Day, and discovering a new poet.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reminding me about Susan Cooper.
Happy Yule! I like the warmth of the new web site design.
Love to Spencer as well :)
What a lovely poem to fall on my birthday. Your gift to me!
Happy Yule, Cate. As always, the photo is lovely.
I love your new header photo, and the poem 'The Shortest Day' is beautiful. I was unacquainted with Susan Cooper's writing until now; thank you for posting that poem and introducing me to her!
I love the new banner and font. It fits very nicely:) Blessings to you.
The Dark is Rising series is one of my favorites!
Post a Comment