Rite

Saturn has taken up position again
in the sky where it dwelled when we
were born, he and I both, a generation apart,
in the same holy river.
                                        Behind Saturn,
time’s gatekeeper, further again cycle
the greater cosmic forces by which the stars
are posted to their own allotted places,
spheres of a different finitude on the dark face
of night.
                                      In a day, in a moment
we are brought to a threshold and gathered
in and over. Nothing
                                     can stop the old order
breaking down; not our wishes, not tears,
not prayers – for only thus can the new
ever be born.
                        In this first, new, December day,
grey dawn paints in the monochrome tones
of the valley; and look! – at the old field gate
how beautiful, how heartbreaking, this lone
fragile white periwinkle, opening to sky.

© Roselle Angwin, 4^th December 2014, for JOA, 1928–2014