Sign up for the newsletter, including fantasy sneak peeks and updates! Join the list!
The Fire
There’s a fire cracking in the hearth- Burning, dancing, twisting, Glowing. The blackening logs hiss with heat, Steaming remnants of water evaporating in flames. And the deep burnt orange of the flickering flames, Glow like an autumn sunset contrasting with the black Of night, or the dark metal of the old, rustic stove. I sit to watch the fire lick up the blackened logs, Warm inside near this heated stove, Away from the blistering cold of the outside.
***
Updated: May 31
My struggle to get overly into the seasonal celebrations this year brings to mind those who may WISH to get into the season more, but are struggling for various other reasons. Maybe they’re alone, don’t have the fiscal means to enjoy it or provide shelter, or are stuck in places they don’t wish to be (varying examples, such as being stuck in a warzone, hospital or other unhappy scenario). And while humans by nature may try to make the best of things as much as they can, no matter the situation, it doesn’t marry up to the joy of being in a safe place with safe company.
***
The Holly and Mistletoe Girl
The young girl stood on the bustling streets, Feet bare with rain-soaked clothes, Clutching close to her a tatty, thin cloak. She offers her modest wares to any who’d buy them: A small, woven basket full with freshly picked holly And clusters of seasonal mistletoe Instead of the flowers she’d sell for summer, Hoping to save enough to buy something warm for her to eat. For it’s the season of celebration and joy, Of Holly decorating mantles, mistletoe dressing doors, And warm food and a warm hearth. But, not so for the young girl stood on the streets. Her family gone and no home to return to, She huddles, shivering, at the side of the road, Tatty, thin cloak pulled tightly around Her ever thinning frame as she fights to keep herself warm, Fights to stay fed and fights to stay alive, By selling flowers in summer to those who will buy them, And at Christmas the freshly picked holly and seasonal mistletoe, To call in the season that should be full of warm food and happiness, With a warm hearth and warm company. Where will she go, and how long will she be there? How long will she manage to fight off the cold that infects her- Freezing her fingers and icing her lungs, Bitter, choking cough racking her entire small frame, When all she desires is a place that is warm, With warm food and a warm hearth and warm company, That’ll help her to fight off the cold that infects her. And the loneliness of being forgotten and left to the streets, By the family long gone, deceased, And those who pass her, unseeing, walk by on the streets, Ignoring the young flower girl standing alone by the road, Trying to sell freshly picked holly and seasonal mistletoe, So people can decorate their mantles and dress their doors, In their warm houses with warm hearths, While this young girl fights off the infecting cold. She’ll be in company soon, though the sad thing is, It’ll be the family that once left her alone on the streets, For they are deceased and while this girl stands alone, In the cold, ignored by those who bustle past in the street, She slowly fades with the cold that infects her, And Death is the only one who’ll stand with her.
***
My weekend was full of fellowship- in just 2 days and Friday evening I enjoyed spending time with both of my martial arts clubs, had one of my longest friends over to stay, and have fully reflected on how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life.
Here’s to those who make me genuinely smile and light a beacon in my life.
***
Fellowship
The babble grows louder, more energetic. Laughter bubbles, the joyful chuckles echoing, bouncing, Around the company in which you surround yourself. These people, this group, that one key person, are friends- The companions that provide your joy, And warm your heart the most. For humans are naturally herd mammals, And we need the company, The people who will fill our lives the most.
Do you sit around a table- Plates full of good food and glasses full of enriching drink? Do you face the great outdoors- Companions in adventure- sun above you and cool breeze brushing against your cheeks? Do you sit in an amiable quiet- The calm washing over you as, in their company, you relax and dream, Of things of the past and the things you wish to come?
These people, this group, that one key person, Are your friends, your companions, Those you walk the undulating, twisting, confusing paths of life with. Their bubbling laughter and unique personalities warm your heart the most, As you look around at them all, or just that one key one, And realise there is no better company to join you on the, Undulating, twisting, confusing paths of life.
What better way to stay warm, Feel that joy and fill you heart and soul with contentment? To feel and see the light in their heart and eyes. Whatever you love about these friends, this group, They’re yours- this fellowship. Because, after all, humans are a herd mammal, So what better way to brighten and warm this life, Than to spend it in the company that you love the most?
***