Holly and Oak

The sun, wrapped tight in swaddling bands
Cradles low where the shadows dwell
As the Holly King at his glorious peak 
Stirs sleeping limbs with evergreen cloak
Into joyous epiphany for slumbering oak
That bringer of wellness in brighter lands

But light grows dim in my humble abode
And even dimmer inside my head
It's a quarter to four for goodness sake
And daylight's already blighted
The cat's depressed, the street lights are on
And the Druids are getting excited

The year stands still, drawing frozen breath
As Yuletide casts its silver sheen
Across mistletoed bough and shibboleth
Where wolves once howled at wintergreen
Urging dormant light with frost-faced shawl
To nature's restless clarion call

That's all very well, but I've had enough
Of skimpy days and endless nights
Of heating bills and flashing lights
It's time to be unorthodox and settle down
With a festive box from Cutter and Squidge
After raising the drawbridge and turning the locks

At last the Winter solstice comes
When Holly defers at last to Oak
That sleeping giant of strength and hope
Who, with cheerful greeting, lengthens our days,
Lifts our gloom and, oh joy of joys,
Reduces the cost of our central heating.

Audio track

https://1drv.ms/u/c/4db44a4d6b88c854/IQARwWTVM2ZpRob-OzwEah_8AVx18Pky44U...