This Is a Prayer for the Darkest Day; This Is a Prayer for Resistance

This is a prayer for the darkest day; this is a prayer for Resistance.

This is a prayer for the longest night; this is a prayer for defiance.

 

This is a prayer for warriors, for women who rise up, wounded,

And do what needs to be done.

Feed the animals in the frozen dark.

Make coffee in the bitter cold.

Pull on sweaters, and fingerless mittens, and socks over cracked feet.

Make five more calls.

Show up outside two more offices.

Believe in justice, one more time.

 

This is a prayer for the darkest day; this is a prayer for Resistance.

This is a prayer for the longest night; this is a prayer for defiance.

 

This is a prayer for activists, for women who will never cede territory.

Who do what needs to be done.

Dress grumpy children in undershirts they don’t want.

Feed tired men who need more than food.

Meditate in the dark while the tea steeps and the oatmeal soaks.

Run for office for the fifth time.

Speak about abuse for the second time.

Vote for the first time in a midterm election.

 

This is a prayer for the darkest day; this is a prayer for Resistance.

This is a prayer for the longest night; this is a prayer for defiance.

 

This is a prayer for struggling through hard times.

This is a prayer for fighting when you are going to lose.

This is a prayer for holding ground, for advancing ugly, for cursing the darkness with trembling legs, watery eyes, an aching throat, and no strength left.

This is a prayer for the ornery.

 

Yule is the season when our ancestors stared into the growing darkness and increasing cold and said:  No.

Yule is the season when our ancestors tried to dig in the frozen ground and rocky earth and said:  Next month.

Yule is the season when our ancestors hunted the aging stag and said:

I honor you for your sacrifice.  I have to take what I can.

Yule is the season of Resistance.  Yule is the season of defiance.

 

This is a prayer for the darkest night; this is a prayer for Resistance.

This is a prayer for the shortest day; this is a prayer for defiance.

May it be so for you.

 

Picture found here.