By paper-lantern light

flames colour a snow crystals dance, beautifully enchanting, to

the distant sound of singing; Joyous songs of celebration, lulling all in revelry. Each note heard

in silent reverence, beneath the skeletal canopy of majestic oak spread. Where from amongst the

damp branches, wise old saucer eyes calls "Ubi? Ubi?", heralding a cacophony of wide-eyed whispers

This afternoon, sweet twilight guides our paths as we search on ever onward journeys unknown; Our

arms collecting firewood, to fill the empty hearths of others. Unaware of the cold hands, we are, when

there's such warmth in our hearts. We toil within the stillness, snow falling softly, and covering the
  
crisp ground. From deep beneath the dazzling pure white, tiny hibernating animists
  
blink wide from the                               warmth of hidden
  
woodland beds.                        Gently,         
   sweep the                   12 droplets
                             of ice from                 all our eyes, Sol,                   
                             as we cough        darkness                                
                     from our      lungs,                       
                       watching the sparkles     of no                                              
                      matter,  floating                  
in the  paper-
            lantern light            
       to scatter across    
this   Solstice   sky,
illuminating our fates,
as cold  snowflake hearts
twinkle like falling stars, unseen,
turning, embracing the return of the Light

See,  Buddha in a  a rose,
find a child indeed is smile,
a smiling rose
when one converges with both.