Solstice Summit, Solstice Solitude

Not a human in sight, nor a human sound to be heard, no jingling bells,no frantic shoppers, no “We wish you a . . . ”

Just critters and silent trees sharing frosty mountain air, greeting the moment of winter—and the new year.

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Hints of snow remain.

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Fire-scarred trees on Lightning Ridge surrounded by fallen brethren.

Yet life persists—sprout to bloom—as Mother Nature completes one cycle and begins anew.

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Jays about, pecking the ground; croaks from a pine—raven?

Raucous calls of acorn woodpeckers, chirps of white-breasted nuthatch, and the almost imperceptible breeze bends only the tallest stems of dried grass.

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Pine cone thumps to ground—near miss!—amid a peckerwood’s rat-a-tat-tat.

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Rufus deadwood paints the mountain side, Palomar dome a mere dot on the farthest ridge.

Red Tail floats over the meadow . . .

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. . . perches . . .
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. . . and surveys her domain . . .

Robin red-breast hops and bobs, jerky head listening for a crawly thing.
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Oak titmouse, the voice and soul of the oaks, flits limb to limb, calling for a companion.
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Lunch with the juncos; wood gathered for the Yule fire.
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Westward bound, a bobcat scurries to shelter in chaparral.

Home again: hearty kale soup warms within, crackling flames warm without.

About Polishing Your Prose

Larry M Edwards is an award-winning investigative journalist, author, editor and publishing consultant. He is the author of three books, and has edited dozens of nonfiction and fiction book manuscripts. Under Wigeon Publishing, he has produced six books. As author, "Dare I Call It Murder? A Memoir of Violent Loss" won First Place in the San Diego Book Awards in 2012 (unpublished memoir) and 2014, Best Published Memoir. The book has also been nominated for a number of awards, including: Pulitzer Prize, Benjamin Franklin Award, Washington State Book Award, and One Book, One San Diego. As Editor, "Murder Survivor’s Handbook: Real-Life Stories, Tips & Resources" won the Gold Award in the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Book Awards, Self-Help. For a sample edit and cost estimate, contact Larry: larry [at] larryedwards [dot] com -- www.larryedwards.com -- www.dareicallitmurder.com -- www.larryedwards.com/wigeonpublishing/

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7 Responses to Solstice Summit, Solstice Solitude

dakota2 says:

December 23, 2013 at 12:49 pm

+I can see you and Janis are enjoying the serenity that so many during their live pass up. It is great to feel one with the world through silence. I am there too and I truly understand… It does not get any better that this I believe..
Love to you both , Andrea & Mary

- Polishing Your Prose says:
  
  December 23, 2013 at 1:24 pm
  
  Indeed. All the best to you both.
  
Arthur raybold says:

December 23, 2013 at 1:18 pm

A very special lyric poem with delicious illustrations. Great piece of writing.

Ellen Holzman says:

December 23, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Hmmm. Kale soup. Must admit I haven’t tried it, but everything else you’ve written about is all around me. Nice to share it with a friend. May you be written in the book of life for the new year.
Ellen

- Polishing Your Prose says:
  
  December 23, 2013 at 4:59 pm
  
  Great way to eat kale and get those green-leaf nutrients. Actually, you can leave the kale out and it will be just as good. It’s a Portuguese recipe, with tomatoes, sausage and spices. Let me know if you’re interested in it.
  
Amy Stafford says:

December 23, 2013 at 4:43 pm

I really enjoyed that! The Peckerwood and Robin Red Breast brought some nice memories of people that are missed this holiday season. Thank you and Happy New Year to you and Janis!

- Polishing Your Prose says:
  
  December 23, 2013 at 5:02 pm
  
  Amy, you’re welcome. I’m glad it brought you some good cheer.