Forgotten are the venerated trees,
the winter solstice rites of yesteryears.
Neglected are the ancient mysteries.
Our sacred groves are drowned in Gaia’s tears.
Beloved traditions once so highly prized,
now, tattered vestiges of olden times.
Our cherished ambitions, half-realized,
faint echoes of the ancient, mystic rhymes.
A wreath of evergreens adorns my door
for winter solstice, the year’s longest night.
Observing festivities as before,
we’ll dance around a bonfire’s blazing light
and celebrate the cycle of the year.
Then days will lengthen, bringing us good cheer!
Copyright Ā© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Welcome words of hope from Cheryl!
I love how this sonnet balances grief for the predicament of the earth at this moment, ‘Our sacred groves are drowned in Gaia’s tears,’ with the hope that still remains for our shared future. It is important in the darkest times to keep that flame of hope alive!
Thank you, Cheryl, for taking part in Festive Sonnet Sunday!
Quite reminiscent and beautifully written. šš
Iām glad you like it! š
You’re welcome š
Thank you, Lamittan for your kind comment <3
You’re welcome š
Thank you so much, Ingrid, for the opportunity to participate in Festive Sonnet Sunday. And thank you for the lovely music you chose. Vivaldi’s “The four Seasons was one of my late husband’s favorites. We used to have breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings and listen to classical music.
Oh how lovely that the music is particularly relevant! I wanted something non-Christian to suit the tone of your poem ā¤ļø
What a beautiful poem on this special Holiday Sonnet that Cheryl so brilliantly crafted!
Lovely!!! What a treat and breakfast in bed sounds sooo decadent
Thanks for hosting Ingrid! š.
Isnāt it lovely! š„° glad you dropped by Cindy ā¤ļø
totally awesome.. thanks ..me too.. it’s setting the spirit here too!
Thank you, Cindy, for your kind comment. It means a lot to me that you like it. I think a little decadence is OK sometimes, don’t you?
You’re so welcome Cheryl! Your work always is a gift! I think it’s more than ok! ššššššš
Excellent piece. Mind-blowing thoughts.
Thank you for reading!
So beautiful. Words and music. Thanks for writing this, Cheryl. Adored. Happy holidays.
Lovely music, Ingrid. You are amazing.
Be well. Happy Christmas.
Glad you stopped by to enjoy Cherylās poem Selma! š
Oh, what a beautiful poem, Cheryl. The flow and rhythm are amazing. Wonderful!!
Isnāt it fantastic? Have a great Holiday Season, Jeff!
Yes, amazing! Thank you, and an amazing holiday to you too! āŗļø
Lovely sonnet, Cheryl!
Glad you enjoyed it, Merril!
‘Our sacred groves are drowned in Gaiaās tears’ stunning. A beautifully woven sonnet.