Solstice

When your eyes pause on the ball
That hangs on the third branch from a star
You remember why it is dark
And why it gets light again

The Earth (like the heart)
Slopes in its seat
And like that it travels along an elliptical path
Drawn into the darkness

An unpolished pearl in sky-black palm of hand
Flickering sun-flame

And then you remember
That you yourself are a light-bearer
Receiving radiance from others

Flickering sun-flame
Unpolished pearl
In a palm of hand