Christmas Candelabra Poem by Jacqui Thewless

Thank God for Gaia’s winter refusal,
that she turns her back on the sun
and the expense of growth;
inside the deeps and darkness occupied
with roots that are no one’s business
but her own.

Let’s be quite clear about the matter:
the bleak status quo is her sanctuary
and the long barren night, her need.

Thank God cold comes,
closing the door firmly
against human incontinence:
Go away, it says,
If you want more floral festivity,
you will have to wait till March.


Waiting is good
and refusal is fine by me.
We’ll take a leaf
from Gaia’s book,
light our invisible lamps and
be our own Ash tree.