'Twas the Night Before Solstice

"'Twas the Night Before Solstice"
by Phoenix

’Twas the night before Solstice, and all through the hearth
the Pagans were waiting for the Sun King’s rebirth.
Many candles were lit around them with cheer,
giving them light on the darkest night of the year.
The children shook rattles and the parents beat drums
and the elders sat back with small smiles and soft hums.
Everyone feasted and kept warm through the night,
keeping close eye for the horizon’s first light.
Then suddenly the children all jumped to their feet,
and shouted, “Look! There’s a man dancing to the beat!”
Indeed through the snow they could all see his form;
prancing and singing, he had arrived to keep warm.
Up to the door he came with a nod and a smile,
and asked, “May I share your fire, just for a while?”
The elders all grinned and offered a warm mug of ale.
and soon he sat in the heat, and gave the children a tale.
“Have you all heard the story of old Father Elf?
Who comes every Yule, but disguises himself?”
“Yes!” cried the children, eyes shining with delight,
“We all hope to see him! We’ve waited all night!”
Then the man smiled and sipped from his drink,
and he furtively gave the elders a wink.
He told them the story of two ancient Kings,
of their battle this Yule, and what meaning it brings.
“The light now returns, and so does your wealth,
for nothing means more than peace, love, and health.
Remember to dance when the world writes a song;
it will help you find the path where you rightly belong.
And always make sure to mind the powers that be,
to note every dream, every sound, every tree.
It is in these small things that we take for granted
that the Lord and the Lady made our world enchanted.”
The man rose to his feet and gave the elders a nod,
but he paused at the door, and then spoke like a God.
“May this home be blessed, and the Witches within.
It has given me joy to spend time with my kin.”
Then he stepped out into the wintry night’s snow,
and the children all rushed to the cloudy window.
Alas, the man had disappeared into the dark night,
though they could all see a stag in the distant moonlight.
Quietly the elders gathered around the door and smiled,
saying, “Thank you, Father Elf, our children you’ve beguiled.”
And the children all gasped in wonder and awe,
for they had not known whom they’d just saw.
Then the fire and feast and drums carried ’til morn,
when light touched the sky, and the Sun was reborn.


Yule 2007