When the high winds and cold temps forced us to make the last minute decision to move our Winter Solstice Celebration from the Hill to online we were so glad that our Poet Laureate, Esther Marcella Hoffmann, was still able to join us virtually to share the new poem she wrote in honor of Winter Solstice.

The poem, entitled "Bless This Night With Breath," can be read below, or click here to watch Esther reciting it during the Solstice Celebration.

Bless this night with breath.
Give your voice to silence.
Who are you in the dark?

Precious puff of prayer,
jubilee below bursting stars,
just as fire is held by earth,
open the gates of your ribs
enter the portals of your hearts.

Bless this night with breath.
Give your voice to silence.
Who are you in the dark?

Bodies are Gaia’s gift to Spirits.
Lover, Friend, Dervish, you’re meant
to get caught up in Her rotation and revolution.
Yet, on this shortest day, pause within
the difference between stagnation and stillness.
Re-mind, you only live a hint of yourself.
Remain in the mist of your essence.

Bless this night with breath.
Give your voice to silence.
Who are you in the dark?

On this longest night rest in mystery.
Release others from names.
Allow quiet to gestate new sounds.   
Empty traditions for new ways.
Be the movement of moments
in veins, temples trekking
in cradles of coniferous trees,
flowing in moon light,
sticking to shadows. 

Bless this night with breath.
Give your voice to silence.
Who are you in the dark?