Miracle of the Solstice
A Poem and a writing prompt for paid subscribers
Good morning!
This is a post for paid subscribers. Below the paywall you’ll find the writing prompt from this morning’s morning Write-Along.
What is the Write-Along?
Join me on zoom for an hour of communal writing. We’ll begin with a reading, an optional prompt and then we’ll settle down to some writing in the zoom room. Feel free to bring along a long term project, or use the space in another creative way. This is a place to be creative together, a gentle accountability to your creative self.
Dates for this season’s Write-Alongs:
24th July 2025 - 12.30-1.30 UK time - Lunch Time write-along
28th August 2025 - 6pm-7pm UK Time- Evening write-along
Not a subscriber? You can rectify that here:
Today’s session was, as ever warm and nurturing. We sat in the sunshine in rooms around the country, prioritising creativity and giving ourselves a slow-growth start to the day. It’s even more special, I feel, at this time of year, when we are almost stepping into the solstice time, to gather in the morning and exist together. Just that, being creative and existing.
Th poem I shared today is from my own poetry collection, Blackbird Singing at Dusk. It’s a poem in celebration if the solstice, but also in celebration of small miraculous moments. Even a campsite on a hillside can be blessed by the sun.
Miracle of the Solstice
And of the paddleboarders
floating on the rippled sea
and of the snail in the wet dew
and of surprise in the sun’s heat.
Miracle of the warmed carpet
in a shaft of sunlight
and of the house
with the sleeping husband
and of the burble of coffee
and of the hum of the fridge.
Miracle of the fat pigeons in the road
and of the sun rising golden
and ancient
and of the hush of the sea
and the seagulls in the surf
and of the man who stopped walking
to watch the rind
of gold rise over Filey brigg
and of the little salmon boat
and the tanker far out
and of the sun’s beam illuminating
the campsite on the hillside
as if the campsite was a neolithic tomb
and the sleeping holidaymakers
precious offerings.
And now, for my paid subscribers, your writing prompt