Winter Solstice

Winter entered quietly

A breeze blowing

Across a field,

With the scent of snow

And change,

The news that sun would return

And bring fire to the world,

The cold would lift

But first it would be endured,

It gave warning of what was to come

News of the changing days

And the growing years,

Winters collected on skin

Like scars,

Leaving their marks upon the earth

And upon the psyche

As we gathered around our fires

Warming by the flames,

As words flowed

Recalling those who had left

And those we feared would be next,

Telling stories of younger days

When the winters held

Little effect for your bones

And maturing thoughts,

When winter was a word

And not something prepared for-

Winter’s arrival was marked

With the watching of the sun,

The observation of the moon

And the counting of the stars,

As we gathered knowledge

Of who we are,

Who were,

And who are becoming-

Winter came

And with it we learned our direction

And placed our faith

In the lengthening of days

And the return of our beloved sun.

Katrina Thornley is a nature poet. novelist, and freelance journalist that resides in Rhode Island. She has two poetry collections currently published, a novel, as well as a short story anthology. Her poetry collections "Arcadians: Lullaby in Nature" and "Arcadians: Wooden Mystics" were inspired by a local park and life in her small rural town. You can find them on Amazon now!

Also, be sure to give her a follow on Instagram (@seekatwrite).