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