Today is the day – winter solstice.
Shortest day of the year.
Start of a winter.
End of a year.

The sky is grey
and darkness drives me
indoors to the warmth
of hearth, kettle and kittens.

It is a time to write,
a time to reflect, to sit at keys,
and let thoughts flow.

But darkness clouds my brain.
Soon the long night will be here.
The sun just a memory
with hopes and dreams sitting on the self.

It is the kind of day that just needs to pass.
It is the kind afternoon when a fire and a cup of tea are all I ask.

Sitting, listening to my heart and soul
I hear nothing – no wind, no word
just the thundering of little kitten feet playing chase in the hall.

Boots the kitten rubs my legs
asking to sit on my lap
there she bats at the space bar
trying figure out what it is for.

Other kittens come and invite
Boots to a game of chase
and down the hall they run,
the little thundering herd.

The blank page stares back
as I think of the year that has been
of the year that will be
and my heart smiles as I feel
a little paw step on my toe.

The kitten opens her mouth with a silent meow
and settles at my feet to wait as I write
or until the game starts anew.

As I ponder the words flowing on the page
and consider the wisdom of the age
a paw and a small cry
bid me put down my burdens and come play.

Till next week,
Andrew