1

Breath hangs in the icy air.

    Pale sun rises with  no  warmth to share.

Earth too hard for life to thrive.  
Water frozen little can survive.

2

Winter solstice, time of fear

lowest point of ever circling year.

Yet midwinter's longest night

holds the promise of midsummer's light.

3

Children trusting Mother Earth;

waiting for the infant sun’s rebirth.

Lie at rest within her womb;

deep in nest or hole or curtained room.

4

For a beat earth holds her breath

at the moment of the old year’s death.

Then at last an earlier dawn

of a brighter sun one Yuletide morn.

5

Now the celebrations start.

Joy and thankfulness fill every heart.

People gather, presents bring;

drinking, feasting, dancing, carolling.

6

Holly, ivy, mistletoe;

sacred trees, are brought within, while snow

outside may be clothing all

in a cold but soft and lovely shawl.

7

Bare tree branches, ermine trimmed.

Dark green leaves with frosted edges rimmed.

Mud brown fields are overnight

painted with a coat of sparkling white

8

Such cruel beauty humankind

can accept with an untroubled mind.

For though still held in winter’s thrall,

thoughts of spring’s return now comfort all.