The Awakening

Do you smell it?

Be still in the warming sun.

Smell the North forest

Stretch out of its long dark nap

To the rising birdsong that will not still.

Let it drag you too from the damp chill,

This primal aroma of the midyear solstice.

A soul’s awakening for us all—

Gaia’s children drawing strength

For our wrestling from her surging energy—

Banking our joy in confidence of tomorrow.

The day itself lingers as if hungering for our company —

The company of good friends brought together

At long last and delighting so forget to leave –

We clamber, climb, splash and fly

Under its broad generosity.