Sun’s low arc across the sky
sending forth longest shadows
of snow laden pines,
decreasing infinitesimally
from my window
for six long months,
Sun stopped, surprisingly
turned around at once
on the brink of solstice,
My half of the globe
inclined away from the Sun
felt least hours of sunlight
now days shed hibernation
Sun is reborn after dying,
Other half tilted towards it
basks in Sun’s bounty
having shortest or no night,
Sun plays reversed roles
for earth’s both sides
applying permutations
and combinations of
doses and potency
of life-sustaining sunlight.
Sun plays perfect father
berating one for his good
stroking the other child.
I penned these lines in response to the prompt ‘role reversal’ exploring subtle relationship between Sun and earth keeping Winter Solstice in focus.
In many countries including India Sun is worshipped as Sun god. India is abound with Sun temples. These are scientific and architectural marvels. Konark Sun temple in Odisha portrays Surya(the Sun) riding 100-feet high chariot drawn by seven horses. Spokes of twelve pairs of wheels in the chariot actually create a sundial. One can calculate the exact time of day by just observing the shadow cast by the spokes on the wheel.
Thanks J.D. Harms for publishing my words in this publication.
Era Garg 2020
