MIDWINTER
Midwinter Day. The new crew stands around
A fire amid a grove of looming trees.
The forest waits in silence. The world turns.
They wait to greet the light of the new year
The lengthening days that lead at last to Spring.
Lalli and Onni sing of strengthening light,
How seeds will soon be stirring in the soil
While roots reach deep to transmute death to life.
Of how the snow will fade, young leaves return
On birch trees lifting crowns toward the sun.
They see the bear cub first - the furry face
Peers insubstantial past a low spruce bough.
Grim Ensi looms beside a smaller shape
Who waves, smiles and blows kisses to her kin
In fond farewell before all three depart
For Tuonela. Ensi, is that a smile?
SOUTHERN MIDSUMMER
The limestone cliffs fall sheer into the sea.
Two mages sing a greeting to the dawn.
One from the cliff top, one from the rolling surge
That beats against the steep unyielding land.
Midsummer dawn. Soon sun will bake the land.
The Gateway Star gleams on the fading night
Marking the place where all the worlds are joined,
Where one may step - or swim- from each to each,
Where all tongues are the same, all beings may speak.
May share their joys and sorrows in the Dream
And share their magics to maintain the Land
And keep it safe mid darkness and despair.
They sing and dance their song on land and sea
That things continue as they need to be.
