I think often of the millions of humans stuck under cities who have never truly seen the night sky. Maybe one trip to the ocean once was their only encounter with immensity. How profoundly sad that they are missing out on something that should be every human’s birthright.
I've got to read Pig Earth. I've read its "The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol," anthologized elsewhere. I loved it. Realism meets dreamscape. All the best this holiday season.
Thanks, Beth, for making me feel as if I'm attending Christmas Revels (recently renamed Mid-Winter Revels to include everybody - even semi-pagan Episcopalians like me). I'm reminded of the poem near the end: The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper
So the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Happy Solstice, Becky, and thanks for quoting that poem - I haven't heard it in a long time! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that 2024 will bring some good news for a change. xoxo
I think often of the millions of humans stuck under cities who have never truly seen the night sky. Maybe one trip to the ocean once was their only encounter with immensity. How profoundly sad that they are missing out on something that should be every human’s birthright.
I once hosted a city boyfriend at the lake. When he saw the night sky, he exclaimed "It's just like the planetarium!"
I've got to read Pig Earth. I've read its "The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol," anthologized elsewhere. I loved it. Realism meets dreamscape. All the best this holiday season.
Thank you! To you too. And you'll love "Pig Earth."
Thanks, Beth, for making me feel as if I'm attending Christmas Revels (recently renamed Mid-Winter Revels to include everybody - even semi-pagan Episcopalians like me). I'm reminded of the poem near the end: The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper
So the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!
Happy Solstice, Becky, and thanks for quoting that poem - I haven't heard it in a long time! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that 2024 will bring some good news for a change. xoxo
Beautiful 🙏