Poem for the Winter Solstice by Glen Sorestad

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Poem for the Winter Solstice
by
Glen Sorestad

One morning you raise the east window blinds

and there is the sun, hunched on the horizon,

doing its best to break free, shunting aside

a few clouds as it hoists itself in readiness to skate

a frigid rink of sky, firing that cloud layer

with deceptive warmth, an intense roseate glow.

This is winter morning, you say to yourself,

but then you realize — and it comes as a shock —

that the sun has risen so far south, you feel

your house has been wrenched a quarter-twist

to the right while you slept. You check your watch —

migod, it’s coming nine o’clock.

When did this happen?

The wall calendar tells you it’s December,

but something deep within you has clung

to the lingering warmth of snowless autumn.

The body deplores this retreat towards the dark,

the dimming days, the physical affront of cold.

Already, unseen crevices within us are busy

re-programming the spirit for spring.

Glen Sorestad is a Canadian poet, fiction writer, editor, publisher, anthologist, and public speaker. Author of more than 25 books of poetry and numerous short stories, his work has appeared in more than 70 anthologies and textbooks and his book, Selected Poems from Dancing Birches, was published in Italy in a bilingual edition. Glen has been appointed to The Order of Canada, that country's highest non-military honor, served as Saskatchewan’s first Poet Laureate from 2000 - 2004, and has given public readings of his poetry in every province of Canada, as well as in many U.S. states and many parts of Europe. Glen lives in Saskatoon with his wife, Sonia, who he claims is his "first and most enthusiastic reader and editor." Learn more about Glen here.

Anke2000:
I used this poem on my blog, hope that's ok (and please let me know if it isn't, I'll take it down again)! https://a-z-translations.blogspot.com/2018/12/winter-solstice.html
Posted 12/21/2018 03:55 AM

pwax:
Perfect--in the description and in the feeling! Thank you, Glen.
Posted 12/22/2011 05:53 PM

Jo:
Beautiful poem, Glen. I have read it twice now and know that is not enough. Your words are so well chosen, and the imagery of the sun skating that frigid rink of sky will stay with me. Even now I am thinking of the re-programming already begun inside.
Posted 12/22/2011 05:48 PM

Gail Goepfert:
As I read the first stanza, I just wanted it to slow down so that I could take in each and every detail. Lovely dawn! And so true about one survives greater darkness and bare branch.
Posted 12/22/2011 02:17 PM

Linda Lee (Konichek):
Great feeling and images, and can relate totally to the last line; that's the only way I survive Wisconsin winters!
Posted 12/22/2011 10:54 AM

loisflmom:
Beautiful imagery, but reminds me of why I moved to Florida years ago, and how little I miss the frigid rink of sky.
Posted 12/22/2011 10:03 AM

marenomitchell:
A tight, soul-felt poem.Thanks!
Posted 12/22/2011 09:57 AM

Janet Leahy:
I've seen the sun hunch on the horizon and love it skating across a frigid rink of sky. My house too, gets wrenched a quarter twist . . . I love this poem! thanks, Glen
Posted 12/22/2011 09:52 AM

Carol Hauer:
Absolutely beautiful and unique description of these dim winter days. Thank you so much. This is a poem I will save and re-read in order to wring every bit of insight and perception from these well-chosen words.
Posted 12/22/2011 08:54 AM

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