this way to back

Dear Sandra and Family

A little bit of completely useless information
for you on this rather icy night!

There are 29 days to the Winter solstice,
technically said to be the depth of winter.
Some call it the start of our winter.

On this date, the sun crosses the sky
at its lowest point and shines the least.
Everyone knows it as the shortest,
darkest day of the year.

Though in reality, from then on
the light starts to change.
And it happens so very gently
the difference is hard
(if not impossible) to discern.

For every day after that,
daylight comes a little sooner
and the sun shines a little brighter.

Even though scientifically we know
and can prove all this,
we also know winter is far from over.
And when the worst of winters is on us,
it can take so very long before we sense
even the faintest trace of summer.

But, please know there are a lot of people
thinking of the four of you
and wishing you strength together.

Ben Taylor

To Sandra, a distant friend, on the sudden loss of your husband to cancer

One afar, who knows you not well,
cries with you, dear Sandra, some quiet thoughts to tell.

None but you, know the pain that you feel,
though all tritely claim that ‘time has to heal’.

And deep in your heart, so surely must ache,
while life’s dreadful twists do faith mighty shake.

As cold or as empty as tomorrow does seem,
hope need not be your unreachable dream.

For gathered around, to hold you as friend,
is a mountain of love…add such little I send.

Ben Taylor