Monday, December 1, 2008

Twenty-One Days

While most of the rest of this country has been counting the days until Christmas, literally killing each other as they vie for the best deals, I have been counting the days until the sun begins blessing us with its light earlier, longer and later. While Christmas carols have been serenading the masses, my ears have been focused on the music of the seasons, listening to the low, ghostly call of the owl which sits high in the trees and watches Duncan and I pass beneath in the darkness. Lights and ornaments have popped up almost overnight, on nearly every house, in all the windows and at each intersection. As magical as they seem, its been more incredible to watch the moon, now a crescent, pass through Sagittarius, Venus and Jupiter impossibly bright and close to one another, watching like anxious lovers. They move cautiously together, never meeting but close enough, it seems, to lean in and kiss, if only briefly. They are millions of miles apart, and even the constellation they dance through is made up of bodies which only appear to be neighbors.

On a night like tonight, when the snow was soft and wet underfoot, making the most wonderful crunching sound as Duncan raced circles around me through it, stopping every few minutes to throw his body into it, rolling and folding it around him like I do the comforter, sheets and blankets on my bed, I wonder if I'm alone in not giving a damn about the holidays while I look toward bigger and more profound events, or are Duncan and I just bodies which only appear to be close, circling the night and never quite making contact?

8 comments:

Lori Whitwam said...

You know the holiday lights are just a continuation of the old Pagan need to have fires and candles and lamps lit to protect themselves from the dark season, and the primitive fear of darkness and that the light of spring and summer would never come back.

This is the only reason I don't vandalize every light display I can get my Grinchy paws on.

Murphy's Mom said...

What a wonderful way to start my day, Murphy, Duncan, Curt, and coffee. I too look forward and count the days till solstice. Darkness comes early here on the eastern shore of Lake O. Every year I swear I will lead a rebellion against daylight savings time. Will you join my rebel faction? :)

Curt Rogers said...

I'm joining your cause immediately! The anarchy must end!

(Thanks for your comments. They mean a lot!)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Amen! I can't believe it is the first week of December 'already'. We were out a couple nights ago admiring the sky. I was totally gawking at the "North star" and another really bright guy - wrong direction. So close together. So cool.
I do like any excuse for a Holiday and tonight, I believe we will celebrate because you are reporting 10 degrees on your sidebar! Amen and warm blankies to you on that one!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Beautiful shows in the sky lately, of which the holiday lights are but a pale imitation...but no less sweet for the feeble human effort.

Wishing you a beautiful season, and long johns to protect you from the cold, cold chill of this beautiful winter world.

Pet that red-head for me, eh? And have yourself a merry little Solstice...