At the Turning Point

Winter Solstice 2015

At the turning point

I greeted old friends

not seen for many months,

and said goodbye to a new friend

going for months away.

At the turning point

I danced and sang

with others in a colourful circle,

then moved to a chair at the edge

when they gathered speed.

 

At the turning point

I delivered a talk, hiding nerves.

I had to speak loud, and project

over an exuberant infant’s joyous whoops.

‘Such command!’ they praised. ‘Such a voice!’

I drove back home with new ease

around the scary bends

of the darkening road —

handling the car with confidence

at each turning point.

My angel sat beside me

only a little while.

‘You can do this now,’ he said.

I agreed, and acknowledged

the turning-point.

In the Solstice fire I burned

old fears, old guilts, old regrets —

leaving a space for new light

to begin and grow in me, here

at the turning point.

Written for Poets United's Midweek Motif, Entering Summer or Winter, in which our challenge was: Write a poem to share your insights on the events and changes you're  experiencing this time of  year.

Photos © Dede Callichy 2015

(I have deliberately blurred faces in the dance photo, except mine. — RNW)


This poem was featured at Poets United in Poems of the Week: On Grief ~ from Sumana, Annell and Rosemary