A winter’s lullaby–to keep you warm on this cold night

A Winter’s Lullaby

Here’s a winter’s lullaby I wrote for a story I told in my early childhood class. I don’t remember what the story was anymore, but I still remember this song/poem. I used to sing it to the children at nap time, too. 

Embracing the dark

I know it’s not really winter yet–but it feels like winter. It’s cold here, and the dark falls early. Although in the city, it’s never really dark. And we live in a time when we never have to experience the dark–unless, maybe, the electricity goes out. 

But sometimes I long for the dark and quiet of night. I long to see the stars and feel like a speck in an endless universe. This little poem reminds me of that. And of that feeling I had of being a little speck but also containing whole universes inside me. Did you feel that way?

Poetry Friday

I’d intended to share this last week for Poetry Friday. I woke up in the middle of the night on Thanksgiving and saw the full moon hanging in the sky. But I spent last Friday with my lovely daughters, who visited me from either coast. What a wonderful gift to spend time with them.

This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Carol’s Corner. Thanks, Carol! You can see what others have posted at her blog.

The words:

A Winter’s Lullaby

The moon shines bright this cold, dark evening,

Bright the stars above.

Sleep my darling, sleep so sweetly

Enfolded in my love.

by Susan Bruck

The music:

In case you’d like to hear it, I’ve made a recording of Winter’s Lullaby

Warm wishes to soothe you in the darkness

In this season, we head into the darkest time of year. The days continue to grow shorter. Here in Chicago, it’s dark before 4:30 already. Although these days between Thanksgiving and New Years can be filled with busy-ness, it’s a time of year when I long for quiet. I long to look inward, to spin and create, to spend quiet time with family and friends.

And this little poem reminds of that. Even when my family is far away, I’m still surrounded by their love–as they are by mine.

I wish the same for you. To be enfolded by love.

A quote from Wendell Barry about darkness

When I opened my book of Rumi poems yesterday, I found a piece of paper I’d stuck in there who knows when–it’s been a while since I looked at that book. On the paper–

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.

To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

Wendell Barry
from “To Know the Dark”

Recent Poetry Fridays

I recently wrote a haiku about The first snow of the season

And also shared an ee cummings poem: Are you tired? Here’s a dream to refresh you.

I wish you warm, cozy days. And, as always, thanks for stopping by.

xoxo