Editor's Choice "winter solstice" Haiku Thread

 

 

Winter Solstice (United States)   Karina Klesko   The Winter Solstice is the day when the distance between the Tropic of Capricorn and the sun is the shortest. Because of the earth's tilt, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning farther away from the sun than at any other time during the year. This makes the Winter Solstice the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere where it marks the beginning of winter. In 1997, the Winter Solstice will occur at 2:09 p.m. CST. Because ancient cultures were unaware of the changes in the Earth's position, they feared that the sunlight would never return. To bring it back, they engaged in many celebrations and ceremonies. In fact, there are more ceremonies and "rituals associated with the winter solstice than any other time of year". Hundreds of years ago, a Roman culture celebrated its major festival on the Winter Solstice. When Julius Caesar instituted a new calendar in Rome, the festival fell on December 25, a date that was retained for many years. About 1600 years ago, Pope Julius I chose this date for Christmas in order to replace the pagan tradition with a Christian one. Many Christmas traditions, including the Yule log, evergreen, and mistletoe are rooted in ancient Yule traditions. http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/january.html   Üzeyir Lokman Çayci, FR   Generally speaking, long night or longest night would not be used in the same haiku as 'winter solstice' mainly because 'long night' (yonaga, is an all autumn kigo): short day (tanjitsu, all winter kigo) and winter solstice is also a winter kigo http://renku.home.att.net/500ESWd.html#AUTUMN I have overlooked these references in response to the actual event of the winter solstice short day, long night, winter solstice. Thanks, Karina   These are my Editor's Picks for the Nov / Dec 2009 / Jan 2010 "winter solstice" haiku thread: in the book before wishes and witches winter solstice Bernard Gieske, US   Christmas rush dwindling space between thoughts Michele L. Harvey, US   winter solstice— one winged angel on the christmas tree Jacek Margolak, PL   longest night a glove without fingers freezes on a fence post Ralf Broker, DE   longest night— the department store Santa lies about his age Michele L. Harvey, US   the longest night— all my nightmares repeat broadcasts Juhani Tikkanen, FI   solstice moon the ring of moisture from a hot cup Michele L. Harvey, US   Christmas eve... church overflowing with once-a-year christians Keith A. Simmonds, TT   winter at last— just imagine the blossoms that will open soon John Daleiden, US   along a moonlit path I find a child's "happy souls teas" Cindy Tebo, US   asthma flare-up the shadows of leaves about to burn Cindy Tebo, US   shortest day... the sun inches up an icicle Michele L. Harvey, US   at midnight the last page read— winter solstice Janice Thomson, CA   belated snow— sprouting wheat-field black with the crows D. V. Rozic, Croatia   shortest day... a string of tail lights exits the mall Michele L. Harvey, US   second hand shop... humming yuletide greetings with Bing Crosby Michele L. Harvey, US   winter solstice the sun gives birth to another year Gerry Bravi, CA   winter solstice— one more child expected next September Zhanna P. Rader, US   cuddling puppies under a warm blanket winter solstice. Priyanka Bhowmick, IN   Earth revolves— the amber moon vanishes as daylight lengthens # 07. Ruth Walters, UK   first kiss under the mistletoe winter solstice Peter H. Pache, US   winter solstice ruby port and cheese one short candle Neal Whitman, US   that night the longest dream winter solstice Bernard Gieske, US   two snowflakes touch each other on the window an invisible teardrop Sasa Vazic, Serbia   old snow inseparable footprints leaving impressions Gerry Bravi, CA   mid-winter evening still no footprints in the porch snow # 125. Elliot Nicely, US   winter solstice— somebody gives me a sign to turn on the headlights Tomislav Maretic, Croatia   brown leaf scuttles down the sidewalk a woman watches Terrie Leigh Relf, US   withered pampered grass genuflecting in the wind... scent of dawn Keith A. Simmonds I just loved the word genuflecting!   midwinter chill… we try not to talk the length of the day Michele L. Harvey, US