endings bring light
Janet Kuypers
12/1/16
Not that you care,
but my birthday
falls on June
twenty second.
The day after
the summer solstice.
That means it’s
just about the
longest day
of the year,
which also means
it’s the shortest night.
But I remember
those summer
nights near
my birthday,
savoring dusk
at 9 pm...
The days
might be long,
but they come
with a peace
that makes
you happy
to be a part of it.
But that’s a
summer solstice,
flip the year around
to right about now
and enjoy
the long nights.
Right before
Christmas, this
is when everyone,
no matter
what religion,
all gets along.
And this
December Solstice
marks “the
turning of
the Sun,”
because after
twelve
twenty-one,
the sun
is out more,
and the days
only get longer.
The Ancient Incas
held a festival
for their Sun god
on this day,
as we still celebrate
the rebirth of the Sun.
All I know is that
any December
solstice celebration
translates only
to sharing,
to giving, to loving.
And after a long year
of struggles
and strains,
and you think
of the year
coming to an end,
remembering caring,
giving and sharing,
makes it worth
celebrating,
knowing future days
can only lead
to more light.
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