by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Then Days Will Lengthen

Stonehenge. Photo by Jonathan Ridley from Unsplash.

Stonehenge is a Neolithic monument on the Salisbury Plain near Wiltshire, England. Human remains and evidence of prior construction at this site date back to about 8,000 BC. The monument, whose ruins we see today, is believed to have been built from about 3,000 BC to 2,000 BC.

Stonehenge is a popular tourist destination, and every year, thousands of visitors celebrate the summer and winter solstices here. Stonehenge has religious significance to modern Pagans and Neo Druids. It is one of the most important historical sites in Europe.

Source: Wikipedia. There is an excellent article on Stonehenge in Wikipedia, if you are interested in reading more about it.

Then Days Will Lengthen

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!

Photo by Hans Isaacson from Unsplash.

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia.

This poem was written for Ingrid’s “Festive Sonnet Sunday” at https://experimentsinfiction.com/2021/12/19/festive-sonnet-sunday

Please check there to read Shakespearean Sonnets by many poets. Thank you, Ingrid, for sponsoring this wonderful event!

Photo by Christian Mercado from Unsplash.

Happy First Day of Winter!

(December 21st)

45 Comments

    1. Thank you, Olivia, for sharing your thoughts. ❤ I have never visited Stonehenge, but It must have quite an impact on the viewer. I would love to go there. Imagining the way of life of the people who built it, I feel that they must have been very much in tune with nature, something worth emulating. I hope you are enjoying the holidays.

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    1. Thank you, Ingrid, I never got to visit Stonehenge, though I once spent a few days in London before a cruise. I think it must feel very awe-inspiring to stand by those ancient stones and imagine the way of life of those who raised them. I wish people today had the connection to nature that they seem to have had. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

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  8. Cheryl, a moving poem capturing the magic of the old traditions and reflecting what has been lost along the way. I look forward to the winter solstice and the lengthening of the days! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! 😀

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Annika, so happy to hear that you like the poem! You got my meaning exactly. I think we have lost some of the valuable connection to the natural world that prehistoric people had. I too am looking forward to longer days. Merry Christmas to you, and may your New Year be filled with good health, joy, and peace! ❤

      Liked by 3 people

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    1. That sounds awesome, Michel. I have not had the opportunity to visit the megaliths except on documentaries. I know there are various sites, but I didn’t know about megaliths in Brittany. Megaliths are very impressive and mysterious. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Michel. I always enjoy hearing from you!
      Love ❤
      Cheryl

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    1. Thank you, Lavinia, for your thoughtful response. ❤ It makes me happy that you enjoyed the post. I agree with you about Stonehenge. It stirs the imagination and inspires. It would be wonderful to visit there. Hope you enjoy the sunshine as the days grow longer! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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  15. A beautiful and festive poem, Cheryl! Stonehedge has always fascinated me because of its intriguing aura – quite magical! Yes, the winter solstice is upon us and the days grow longer and as mentioned in your poem will bring us cheer. Have a safe and lovely holiday, dear Cheryl. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, JoAnna, for your thoughtful response. Yes, I think we have lost much of our connection to nature that ancient people had. Yesterday I read on our neighborhood blog someone admonishing people who deliberately ran over harmless snakes and turtles with their cars, reminding them that those animals were part of the balance of nature. As I read, I was hoping that the “turtles” she was referring to were not the endangered gopher tortoises that live around here!

      Have a beautiful day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. People who deliberately run over harmless animals are building up some bad karma. I’ll add my hopes to yours for the gopher tortoises. Peace and Blessings to you Cheryl.

        Liked by 2 people

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