stand near,
you brave ones
here around this fire.
stand still,
exhale
and know
the light increases again.
so then,
I bring an invocation
I have learned to summon strength
on solstice.
may I pass the teaching on to you?
my voice is yours.
I hear you say:
now,
start
I make moments art
in the shortest day,
the longest night,
I delight.
I delight where I winter.
whether in fight, failure, or fame,
I feel the flame for this moment.
I feel the fire of my foundation,
the fathomless core of my creation.
so I stand
blessed by all spirits around me near
blessed by the ocean and the darkness here
blessed by solstice and the circling earth
a living gift of death/rebirth
to be continued.
I stand
to be continued,
my light strongly continued.
thank you.
burn fiercely, friends.
the fire is here.
12/16/22