TheBanyanTree: when solstice comes to winter

[Julie Anna Teague]

This is just wonderful, Mike.  Full of fun and good cheer.  I'd print 
it off, but I'm sure it will be in the book when it comes out ;)

Julie

Quoting Mike Pingleton <pingleto at gmail.com>:

> 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.
>