Vernal Equinox

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By marandina

Tue, 16 Mar 2021
  • 8093 reads
31 comments
 

Winter shuffled its weary feet,

stoical snowdrops bowed ivory heads,

crocuses broke free from frozen earth,

as daffodils and tulips sprang into new life.

 

Light left its Antarctic station – South Pole,

crossed the Celestial Equator,

northward bound, subsolar now distant,

ascension east beckoning times of harvest.

 

With this watershed moment in time

comes mystical rituals of millennia past,

ancient prayers and spells of life cast

on seeds and crops and cattle, blessed.

 

Spirits dance in a Scandinavian disablot,

a giant snake slithers down a Chichen Itza pyramid,

Quetzalcoatl celebrated as a serpent’s head,

worm moon risen signalling the onset of spring thaw.

 

The Devil eyes his twice yearly portal

to enter the world with an intent of torment,

this blue planet rotates on its eternal axis,

perpetual circle turns from death to birth, once more.

 

And as I looked into the morning sky,

drifting nimbus screening careening gulls,

I watched that door of seasonal hope open

to a land of warmer winds and gentle breezes.

 

No copyright issues – image free to use at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChichenItzaEquinox.jpg

Image is of the monument Chichen Itza (Mexico) during the spring equinox and Kukulkan, the famous descent of the snake.

The Vernal/Spring Equinox is on Saturday 20th March 2021

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by onemorething on

Lovely. And adore the inclusion of disablot. Will return to read this on the equinox, I think, in a slightly witchy way. :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Glad you liked it, Rachel. Funnily enough, I thought about including overt references to witches but left it as is in the end as I've been messing about with it for days. The disablot is a sacrificial aspect which I imagine you know already. Just trying to make sure it's personal as well as referencing all the amazing things that are attributed to the Vernal Equinox. Hard to imagine it's this weekend.

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul :)

 

Submitted by celticman on

we're getting there. Don't want to jinx it, but I see sunshine. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Even in Scotland, CM. Thanks for the read and comment, sir.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Bring out your new brooms, dance with the hares, hug a birch tree and mind the giant snake - Spring is coming. This is our Pick of the Day. Please share this celebration of Spring on the horizon. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Wow - thank you, so much Rachel. That's made my day! Paul :)

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

It feels full of hope! Love it. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Drew. Lighter and happier times ahead. Clocks go forward soon! Paul

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I watched that door of seasonal hope open

to a land of warmer winds and gentle breezes.

this has been the longest winter ever - I can't wait for that door to open. Thank you for reminding us of its existence Paul - and congratulations on the well earned golden cherry!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Agreed, Claudine. It has been the longest of winters. With the success of the vaccination programme and the roadmap to get things open again, hopefully the worst is in the rear view mirror. Here's to the rest of the world moving forward to a better place with everything, as well

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

This original and mythical poem is the right choice for Pick of the Day. Very instructive and skillfully crafted.
An absorbing read.

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the read and kind and generous comment, Luigi. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You have weaved your words perfectly in this poem Paul, creating with care a wriiten tribute to the coming Equinox. The dominion of the sun will soon become stronger and longer days of light will return.

 Beautifully mastered.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jenny. Lighter and warmer days and nights is what we all need right now. Happier times ahead.

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

A joy to read. Skilfully done too. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks Mark. I think I got it more or less where I wanted. Thanks for reading it. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

You know your story you did your research hey Paul? (Apart from the myths?) but as given your facts actually look quite in order but the geometry is actually very simple pencil and paper. As is a lot of geography.

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the read, Tom. Facts and myths, we need 'em both. Hope you are keeping well, sir. Paul

 

Submitted by Ross_Lowe on

 This is a great poem, Paul. Really lifting, mystical, and capturing the spirit of this time of year. A lovely escape from the troubles of current times: better days are on the way! Loved it. Well done.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers Ross. Thanks for the read and comment. Yes, happier times on the horizon. We are still beholden to the change in seasons, of course. Paul :)

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

As you say, Paul, so hard to believe the equinox is very nearly here! I hate the long nights, so I literally take note every day of how much more daylight we've had until we reach the equinox. It always raises my mood. Such a lovely binding together of the ancient and modern in your poem. Definitely one to return to on the day itself.

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jane. It looks like lots of folks can't wait for longer days and warmer weather. Let's face it, we've been through the mill for a long time now! Paul

 

Submitted by sean mcnulty on

Epic landscapes. Your poems get better and better.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers Sean - high praise and thank you. Hoping you are enjoying St Patrick's Day. Paul

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Aye carumba - thank you, so much! Paul :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the read. A rainbow boa - sounds awesome! Shamefully, I am yet to read any DH Lawrence. I have just looked up more info including stuff re "The Rainbow". Clearly this is someone I need to read more from. Paul

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Really love this poem! You made me feel the excitement of other ages, the thrill of believing in magic, at the same time as describing the reality of the equinox, which is powerful too

Came back for a re read and so sorry had not realised I did not comment on it before? It's wonderful, will be reading it again and again!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the read and lovely comment, Di. No worries about not commenting. All feedback always appreciated. Paul :)

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

Very nice. I like the ivory snowdrops.

Jean Day

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