Winter Solstice
We have arrived at the winter solstice through tough and isolating times. The mornings are dark and cold. We are layered in dark clothing, shrouding ourselves in coats, hats, hoods, and masks should we dare to venture outdoors. In stations and streets while we wait for the busses, streetcars or trains that will take us into a quieter city, we stomp in our boots and try to conjure the memories of our warm beds, or perhaps even a more vibrant city. Though we have risen, showered and brushed – we have tidied our appearance and made ourselves presentable for the day – our minds, hearts and bodies still long to linger on soft pillows and under duvets – to turn in crisp sheets and to feel the warmth emanating from a lover. We may long to return to our beds and perhaps to feel one drawn close and to make sleepy love, to lounge, and to pamper our bodies and souls – to take care of, and to be taken care of. Or we may simply want to return to our own dreams, to rest and be restored. And even in this trudging into the city for work or shopping, we will still know that we are not the least lucky amongst us. There are those who will stay indoors on this darkest and dreariest day of the year and not venture out at all. They will not experience the wet cold of this winter day. They will not not look up to the flat slate of a grey sky or feel the wind making their noses run. They will stay shut indoors much like they have for the last 18 months of this pandemic. So for all of it's dreariness and oppressive darkness, we consider ourselves blessed to be able to experience even this day, even in the darkness. The day calls us with devices, books and headphones and we separate ourselves from our surroundings and each other. We rattle and rumble on roads and rails, the noises are harder and the lights are harsher and too bright. We draw ourselves into our own worlds in vain attempts to keep the noise and bustle of the world and a virus at bay. As downtown approaches, the press of the day breaks through and the memory of our beds is just a shadow that you cannot hold onto. We will rise from our seats and step into the world. We will push our way through the day until we can return to the warm cocoon of our bed – to return to winter’s sleep.
