Winter Solstice 2020
By M.A. Dooley
To re-build beauty we split the wood
Don’t split the hairs, it does no good
To build more beauty, we light the flame
The kindling catches, we say the names
Of those we love who went beyond
They shaped our lives, they’re never gone
Reflection first, then put it away
Forgive, don’t forget, make up one day
Let go the work, the world of greed
The rules of day, the ego needs
Gathered in darkness wait for the light
Beauty glows on faces this fire lit night
The circle round holds hearts and dreams,
Tears fall for loves no longer seen
The year was wrought with judging and pain
Hindsight 2020 the last refrain
Awake on the longest night, the fire
Releases suffering and unmet desires
This invocation is for you,
You represent your sisters too
For mothers, daughters we hold you dear
For fathers, sons not shaped by fear
We stand for sacredness of life, for living
The year’s behind us without misgiving
We stand together and hold our place
Embrace salvation of the human race
We are so close to being one
Let’s end this year with love and fun.
M.A. Dooley is a fourth generation Californian who spent her childhood in the Santa Cruz Mountains. M.A. Dooley is an architect in partnership with her husband. They have three sons. Among a multitude of athletic interests, she loves to ski and dance. Her work has been published in Sunset, Trends, San Francisco Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Press Democrat, and in Poems of a Modern Day Architect published by ARCHHIVE BOOKS, 2020.
