GEAMHRADH

Let us prepare ourselves. Now comes the shortest day and longest night, we pray. Pray by lighting fires, in hope our lesser flames can kindle that great fire which warms our Earth.

Against dark, cold, snow, bright flames snap high shadow bodies dance glide jerk backward, forward, night-dark arms reach flung fingers grasp past twisting air, clasp generations on generations.

Night's black casket swallows smoke that never reaches stars, distant beyond touching, numerous beyond knowing, ancient in their youth.

Always fires burn, warm us living, recall our dead, release rich incense, light our ways through words and forests.

So has it been on mountain, meadow, home hearth, altar, love and fever, in men, in women. So has it been, and will it be.

We bless your fire. We ask your blessing, this year and all years, this life and all lives. Like stars and bonfires we shine in wonder, survive, welcome the sun.

Submitted by reader Wry Welwood, 20th of December, 2003.