imbolc in the south

Swaartberg pass – July 2021

end of july
deep winter cold
and mountains capped with snow.
first day out to clear the beds,
spread compost like a blanket
thick black and warm –
new moon in august
we will plant the summer seeds.

end of july
deep winter cold
out in the garden to prepare the beds –
trellis the peas while first cuckoos,
emerald green and tail flicking,
call from the bare branched searsia
brilliant against the ice blue sky
iridescent feathers in winter sun.

deep in july
snow cold in the mornings
francesca full pregnant and shaggy with curls
watches while we build new lambing stalls
pile them soft with eragrostis –
she knows the waiting
for the turning of the year
and the spring she holds in her belly.

end of july
deep winter cold
and mountains capped with snow –
we sit by the fire
drink endless cups of tea
speak the world
way into the night
while outside the windows
winter howled and hissed

deep in july
late winter cold
first blossoms open
like stars on a cloudless night
points of light on the bare winter trees.
and now we wait
warming seeds in our hands
with the breath of our living,
wait for the turning of the year
so we may sow what light has lived
through the long dark of winter
and reap what we sow
in the warming days to come.

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For Sarah at Earthweal’s weekly challenge: Lammas

https://earthweal.com/2021/07/26/earthweal-weekly-challenge-lammas/

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