TheBanyanTree: when solstice comes to winter

[Mike Pingleton]

there's snow upon the haycocks
for the few remaining kine
the rest are in the smokehouse now
all hanging in a line
we've grown and gathered all year long
to best the famine times
when solstice comes to winter

the pivot point, the axis line
when grey days fade to black
the light that slowly spun away
will now start spinning back
the dog star and orion mark
the sun's renewed attack
when solstice comes to winter

on the shortest of all days
the yule log has been set ablaze
and long as it may light our way
we'll dance it down to embers

we'll wassail in the village square
and toast to winter's bones
there's suckling pigs upon the spit
the hearth is packed with scones
the apples down the cellar
are as wrinkled as a crone
when solstice comes to winter

the lane is full of happy folks
the wrenboys in their ragged coats
and slipping off to sow some oats
are couples two by two

now cast your fate into the fire
and toast the holly king
we'll revel in the mystery
that every new day brings
we'll hail the Lord and Lady
or Natalis Domini -
when solstice comes to winter.