Patricia Daniel

25th December 2010 to 6th January 2011

*Twelve Days of Christmas

*Background notes

*This was my contribution to a project organised by Linda King. For each of the 12 Days of Christmas a group of us “made a commitment to spend some time doing something which nourished soul and spirit” – art, poetry, photography, reflection - and sharing our work online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/222421307111/

*The project was about “connecting with this special time of the year, when many consider the veils between the worlds are thin and permeable.” [Linda King]

‘Apparently the coinciding of the lunar eclipse with the winter solstice this year is very

auspicious’

*Day 1 January

Full moonbeam on snowdrift fieldsBare brave branches danceBut I’m still hibernating

*Day 2 February

Heron of tranquillityStately by the pool.Lucky rabbit leaps and flees.

My grown-up daughter’s birthday- Bring laughter from the solstice. 

*Day 3 March

*Sweet crab-apple flowers,*Earth stirs and tides turn.*The spirit is quickening.

*Day 4 AprilThis is positive visioning for some work

I’ll be doing in April (which is a month for travelling)

*Project on AIDS in IndiaI jet in and outStreet kids running to greet me.

*They praise peer educationAnd say: “We’re on the right track.”

*Day 5 MayDay 5 is for my birthday and gives good advice

for water dragons in the year of the white metal rabbit

*Come, lie down by cool waters.*Forget these fanfares*And weigh your future wisely.

*Day 6 June Two poems today, the first by way of an apology for the previous offerings (the

haiku form is 5-7-5 syllables)

*Five lovely haikus:Finally I realise –Wrong syllable count!

*Day 6 JuneThe summer solstice celebrates the

consummation of solar power

*Electricity*As morning sun strikes smooth stone*You’re my heart’s desire

*Day 7 JulyThe assumption of the Virgin Mary into

heaven and the Celtic feast of Lughnasadh - for competitive games and

arranging marriages

*What an assumption!High days and holy daysMixing metaphors.*Men compete in haymaking,A virgin sets the example.

*Day 8 AugustPositive imaging for our show at the

Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival (although it didn’t actually happen!)

*Four wand’ring players*Pitch up in a high-class bar*Spinning tales for change.

*Day 9 SeptemberThe autumn equinox

*All things are equal:*You must return to the west –

*But don’t forget me.

*Day 10 October

*Outside my window*Sparrows crowd a bright wet bush,*Dripping with birdsong.

*Day 11 November

*Muddy underfoot;*Rockets burst into the sky.

*A warm hand to hold?

*Day 12 December

*Twelve windmills turn,*Guardians of my Pennine ridge.*Our year comes full circle.

*“The lunar eclipse gave me hope for the future and I also met a poet at a writers' get together yesterday who told me about the tanka form (like haiku but longer  5-7-5-7-7 syllables).” (Patricia)

*“Tanka sounds just perfect! You are obviously in touch with the magic.” (Linda)

*References

* The Elemental Tides http://www.innerlight.or.uk/journals/Vol24No4/elements.htm*First total lunar eclipse to coincide with

Winter Solstice in almost 400 years http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1340144/First-total-lunar-eclipse-coincide-Winter-Solstice-400-years.html*Haiku or Senryu?

http://startag.tripod.com/HkSenDiff.html*Tanka Poems

http://www.chinatownconnection/tanka-poems.htm