The Ancient Yule of the Forest

The Ancient Yule of the Forest

Morning twilight touched the beauty of the forest

As the cardinal flew open with song

The silence of mother nature began to awake

The needles of the trembling pines falling on the fresh, crisp snow

 

The fox scurrying from his lair

The hare from his den

The deer stepping out of her meadow

The pike bobbing in the icy brook

 

Perched on the mighty oak, 

the Great White Owl called an assembly

The creatures of glade gathered far and wide 

to hear what he had to say

 

Some earthen souls were mortal, some were not

Some were of legend and lore

Soon a medieval menagerie of celtic wonder had gathered 

And the Great Owl delivered his decree

 

On the shortest day of Winter 

When the Earth was asleep with the moon

The forest would rejoice with celebration

As the marriage between light and dark would take place 

 

The day was spent in merriment as woodland games were played

A gopher snowball fight

A squirrel cross country race

Glee and laughter hung in the air

 

Then the sun began to fade

As the shadows covered the ground

A light snow began to fall 

As twilight met the night

 

The tree fairies strung up their garland

The wood nymphs with their lanterns to burn

The gnomes with their sparkling things to hang

All ready for the ancient jubilee 

 

Each animal brought their share 

To exchange in the deep winter feast 

A menu of nature’s bounty

For all to enjoy their fill 

 

Then the ancient mare of the forest came

As all the creatures bowed 

Her magical horn pointed to the heavens 

Then beamed light all abound

 

The trees became lit with colors 

The snow sparling with silvers and golds

The animals gathered around the fire hearth

All in harmony ready to sing

 

They sang about the world’s creation 

About the rivers and glens

About the leaves and flowers 

And the thanksgiving of this perfect scene 

 

The great owl mused from his perched high top

He knew centuries from now would be the same

A winter celebration would always take place

And the whole world forever would sing 

Original Poetry