Solstice
The longest day of the year
Occurs when the sun reaches its zenith in the sky
Known as the summer solstice
Its name means both ‘sun’ and ‘still’
Revered since ancient times
As a celebration of the Earth Mother
On whose eternal power and bounty we rely
To enable growth, to nurture and sustain life
This day also serves as a reminder
Of the shorter days ahead
Of colder, more diminished light
As the seasons shift towards their winter-bound decline
My grandmother died on the longest day of the year
When her coffin was lowered into the ground
A ray of sun broke out beneath the clouds
And the world stood still
Jeanna Ní Ríordáin is an Irish-language translator from West Cork, Ireland. She has a PhD in French literature, a BA in Irish and French and an MA in French, all from University College Cork. She has always enjoyed writing and begun writing poetry two years ago. Her work has been featured in The Quarryman, Poetry in the Time of Coronavirus: The Anthology, Volume Two, pendemic.ie and Lothlorien Poetry Journal Volume One – The Fellowship of the Pen. Her favourite poet is Victor Hugo.
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