Winter Solstice And After Today

It’s always good the see the days start getting longer. Winter gets the better of me at times and there’s something about the smallest day of the year that makes me feel hopeful.

After today, the days grow long,
the air warms up while I get strong,
I head back to where I belong
after today has gone.

After today the trees get thin,
it matters less where I have been,
the black dog, silent, sinks back in
after today has gone.

After today the smile returns,
the mind no longer toils and burns,
the road uphill winds down and turns
after today has gone.

After today the spirits lift
but darkness waits down in the rift
where once again next year I’ll drift
after today has gone.