Today is the shortest day of the year, at least for those of us in the northern part of our beautiful planet.

Light has pulled back, retreated defensively, waiting for a chance to tentatively return and from hereon forward, each evening will gift us with approximately 2 minutes 8 seconds extra daylight.

There will be cold to come; icy days when it is easy to slide and fall.

There will be storms to face; days when panes of glass between us and the wild winds seem hopelessly insufficient.

There will be bone soaking dampness; the sort that makes it impossible to imagine that mud might become soil again.

There will be false starts: days when it seems as if spring has finally come, only to be snatched away again.

Despite all of this, each and every day, we are gifted 2 minutes and 8 seconds of light.

Let it feed your souls my friends.

Let it filter in.

Nadir

.

Nadir

The arc swings low

The day drains away

Across the steel grey sky

How deep is the sump

Of winter

.

Exhale

For before each breath

Lungs must be fully emptied

Swell the chest and say farewell

To the shortest day

Of winter