Speak Now, Oh Warrior

Speak Now Oh Warrior- a poem for solstice
Days shortened in light
Temperatures drop and I shutter as the
    northern breeze touches my neck
I stand here watching the stars move overhead
    like my father, like his father and his and his before me

Men I have not known but who lived in the
    same environ of trees, air, earth, fire and water
Men I do not understand; Men now laid to rest,
    who lived as the hunters and warriors before me with families, work
    and spoken and quiet questions

Warriors who survived catching food, fought
    great battles; who mated, hunted and
    gathered in a time before telecommunications,
    machines, running water, heat,
    before Nordstroms or Stop & Shop
Warriors who never understood 23 ½ degree
    tilt or why darkness came or why seasons repeat

Perhaps they lived in fear and desired to serve
    the great master of the seasons;
    their perspective limited to telling the great
    stories of their ancestors painted across the sky

Or maybe they had it figured out just right.
    There is darkness and there is light.
    A cycle of light and darkness that occurs in perfect balance

My breath quickens as I look up and see Orion’s belt,
    sword hanging as he walks
    the skies with his dogs. I live in awe
    knowing this heritage continues today

Speak now oh warrior. The cycle has begun again.
    The light is reborn! Farmers now know the planting day.
    This is the season of greater darkness
    and now we stand, speak and celebrate

Sing now in song, oh warrior!
    the sun comes back again and again

All material copyrighted by the author