MOON OF THE LONG NIGHT
December
In these nights of Orion
hunting the Great Bear,
glimmering in obsidian sky,
we tell stories of the old days.
Sleepless, we stir the fire,
re-tell our mothers’ stories,
our grandmothers’ legends
tales of earth, first mother,
made new in our own words.
Nameless longing prowls
Long wind howls
we warm ourselves with stories
fill our bellies, lighten the darkness.
By Ellen S. Jaffe, from the chapbook Twelve Moons and Six More Poems, inspired by 12 deerskin paintings by Annie Mandlsohn which represent the months of the year.
The art and writing were influenced by shamanic teaching and practice.
Annie and Ellen would like to dedicate this poem to Volkmar (Peter) Hindrichs, who died December 17, 2013, in his 83rd year.
He loved music and the life of the spirit, and played the organ for many years at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hamilton.
Annie and her family are old friends of Volkmar and his family, and Ellen met him through Annie shortly before his death.
He liked this poem, which will be read at his memorial service and which fits this season of the darkest night and the return of the light..
Editor's note: I knew Volkmar through the Lutheran Church where he played the organ and directed the choir for so many years. Music was a great love of his as well as poetry and he often times asked me to send him some of my poetry which I was only too happy to do.
He will be sorely missed by his many friends at the church. Tomorrow is his funeral service which which be at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church at Wilson and Hughson Streets in Hamilton, Ontario.
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