Earlier this week, BookRiot shared a link on Facebook to A Literary Advent Calendar. Isn’t that a great idea? So far, a poem by e.e. cummings, O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Elves and the Shoemaker” have been shared. This gorgeous poem is today’s offering.
“Toward the Winter Solstice”
by Timothy Steele
Although the roof is just a story high,
It dizzies me a little to look down.
I lariat-twirl the cord of Christmas lights
And cast it to the weeping birch’s crown;
A dowel into which I’ve screwed a hook
Enables me to reach, lift, drape, and twine
The cord among the boughs so that the bulbs
Will accent the tree’s elegant design.
…
Some wonder if the star of Bethlehem
Occurred when Jupiter and Saturn crossed;
It’s comforting to look up from this roof
And feel that, while all changes, nothing’s lost,
To recollect that in antiquity
The winter solstice fell in Capricorn
And that, in the Orion Nebula,
From swirling gas, new stars are being born.
Read the entire poem here.
Please be sure to visit Buffy Silverman at Buffy’s Blog for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
Reading to the Core 
A beautiful poem. And I love the idea of the literary Advent calendar. Off to check it out!
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I’ll check on the calendar, too, Catherine. Love that “potpourri” and hope to keep it that way! I don’t often see the word ‘caravansary’ and can’t remember why I know it, but it’s a pretty word, isn’t it? Thanks and hugs this season!
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Lovely poem, Catherine–I too love the image and sentiment of the potpourri that all enjoy the colorful display. Thanks for sharing this one.
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Oh potpourri! Thanks for this poem and the new-to-me take on Advent. I rather like these dark, still mornings but will also be ready when the world again begins to lighten. May you enjoy the season!
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Thanks for posting this poem! I too saw that BookRiot had an Advent Literary Calendar, and I posted ee cummings’ “little tree” a few days ago. There are many wonderful Advent poems , even more than the ones on the calendar. Best wishes from Anne
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Thanks for sharing this one. I’ll have to look for the advent literary calendar too!
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Love this poem, Catherine!
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Love this. We share a Solstice meal every year with friends of all faiths. This will be the perfect way to invite them this year!
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