Invitation from a Winter Star
Conjunction
On the longest night
of a long, long-shadowed year,
a new star shining
briefly on the horizon,
aligns the slowest
planets in the sky.
Jupiter and Saturn
appear as one,
in a proximity
456 million miles wide,
to the earthbound eye
one fifth the width of the moon.
*
What proximity
might my heart’s eye
notice here in gravity’s grasp
in the stardust scattered
within and all around me?
You and I
circling an illuminated hope
for peace,
each in unique orbit
of differing arc and speed.
*
Come. Watch with me.
Let’s step out
into the longest night
together looking
for a convergence
we can follow,
an arc of love bending,
bending,
bending toward justice,
bowing to a newborn
ancient dream.
*
With gratitude for the light you shine
and sending Solstice greetings
and good wishes
for the long nights still to come.
Karen Hering
December 21, 2020