great conjunction on the winter solstice

December 17 - December 21 Week 48/72

as the longest night of the year

begins its quick descent

I gingerly make my way

through knee deep snow

to light a little teepee

of kindling awaiting

the touch of a match

flames spring to life

dancing in frost-tinged air as

maple and birch branches

victims of a summer storm

now cut, dried and stacked

feed the robust fire working

to push the growing darkness

farther and farther away as

bright orange sparks float up

to share a kiss as Jupiter and Saturn

slow dance behind the hill

while I sit under the same sky

as my niece and great nephew

thousands of miles to the south