December 21st, last year just past

short days
dwindling
long nights

click click click
something goes

caught in the wheel

echos calling
clearing our throat
of cold and colds

short nights
I will welcome
your retreat

as do the seeds
chilled in the mud
cells stirring still

short days
farewell

short days
dwindling
long nights

here marks the change
the sun I watched die tonight
now sleeps it longest sleep

tomorrow
is a new day
another in long chain
of first days
circle after circle
stopping and starting
in a night like this