The winter solstice. The shortest, darkest, day can still be full of things to look forward to:

...this is the slowed down season, held fast by darkness
and if no one comes to keep you company
then keep watch over your own solitude.
In that stillness, you will learn
with your whole body
the significance of cold
and the night,
which is otherwise always eluding you.

Patricia Fargnoli, Winter Grace

photo slava