Poems for the Winter 2012 issue:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Song For Solstice<\/p>\n
Rachel Katz
\nIt was freezing cold. Snow piled high. Night approached. My twelve-year-old self
\nstood outside the school with the other choristers, gripping noisemakers and lanterns.
\nParents, teachers and others joined the throng. We waited. Waited for total darkness.
\nWaited for the walk to begin. Waited for solstice.
\nWhen darkness finally fell, I felt as though I had been standing in the snowy cold
\nfor an eternity. I could scarcely feel my feet and I wondered if this had been a mistake.
\nLittle did I know that all my doubts were about to evaporate.
\nWith long black hair swinging behind her, my music teacher pushed her way
\nout of the crowd. In her high, clear voice, she explained the solstice and why it was
\ncelebrated. She called for the choir to join her at the head of the motley procession.
\nWe would lead the way down the creaky wooden stairs into the shadowy ravine. After
\nnegotiating the icy steps, we congregated at the foot of the stairs. There, our route was
\nexplained before we set off.
\nAs soon as the walk began, noisemakers were let loose in a zealous outburst.
\nMinutes passed, the cacophony died out, and the choir began to sing as one.
\nThis was my first solstice celebration and what I heard on that snowy night was
\nsheer magic. In the silence of the surrounding woods, our voices echoed everywhere.
\n\u201cDona nobis pacem, pacem,\u201d we sang out, feeding off each other\u2019s energy.
\nDespite the blistering cold, we smiled through chattering teeth, staring up at the heavens.
\nAfter some time, we reached the turnaround of our journey; a steep and icy hill.
\nThe choir stopped at its foot and turned to face the crowd. Our music teacher stood
\nbetween us and the rest of the group.
\n\u201cWe are here today,\u201d she cried. \u201cTo ward off winter\u2019s chill when the days are at
\ntheir weakest. We are here today, to take our noisemakers,\u201d she raised one above her
\nhead. \u201cAnd ward off the chill the only way we can; with music!\u201d
\nWith a grin, she whirled around to face the choir. Our voices burst forth
\nimmediately, daring the cold to advance.
\n\u201cThis little light of mine, I\u2019m gonna let it shine,
\nThis little light of mine, I\u2019m gonna let it shine,
\nThis little light of mine, I\u2019m gonna let it shine,
\nLet it shine, let it shine, let it shine.\u201d
\nBy our second run-through, the crowd was singing along. I wanted nothing more
\nthan to remain in this place forever. Too soon, the moment ended and we tramped back to
\nschool to sing carols and warm up. For me though, the evening\u2019s highlight had come and
\ngone.
\nI will never forget the ethereal music I heard that night, or the sense of belonging
\nI felt. This memory keeps me warm on the coldest nights and keeps my soul burning
\nbright in the darkest times. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Poems for the Winter 2012 issue: A Song For Solstice Rachel Katz It was freezing cold. Snow piled high. Night approached. My twelve-year-old self stood outside the school with the other choristers, gripping noisemakers and lanterns. Parents, teachers and … Continue reading