The year’s midnight
‘Tis the year’s midnight, and it
is the day’s,
Lucy’s, who scarce seven hours herself unmasks ;
The sun is spent, and now his flasks
Send forth light squibs, no constant rays ;
The world’s whole sap is sunk
;
The general balm th’ hydroptic earth hath drunk,
Whither, as to the bed’s-feet, life is shrunk…— John Donne, "A Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy’s Day, being the Shortest Day"*
I’m off to spend a few days with family. Happy winter solstice, all!
* Here’s hoping that you find this time of year less grim than Donne did.
Happy winter solstice!