Season of Darkness and Light
/Portland, Oregon sits just above the 45th parallel. Most people think of the 45th parallel north (if they think about it at all) as the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole, but the true halfway point is a bit further north. That doesn’t matter - Portland is pretty darn close.
San Francisco, where I moved in 1980, sits only 12 degrees south of Portland, but the light is profoundly different. I know this is caused by more than just the fact of north and south, but that’s the part I understand. I’ve driven the long stretch of Interstate 5 and flown from SFO to PDX enough times to actually feel that north-south pull.
I don’t know why I’ve become rather obsessed with the 45th parallel, except that I’m still getting used to the differences between the Bay Area and Portland. Especially the light - and dark.
In the winter, days feel very short here in Portland. Today it’s December 21, 2023, the Winter Solstice. Today I will see the sun set at 4:29 p.m. When I looked up the sunset time for San Francisco, I was surprised to see that it will occur at 4:53 p.m. Only a 24 minute difference, but a somehow a difference I notice.
I know many cultures celebrate holidays and rituals around lighting the darkness of winter. I celebrate Christmas with my family each year. But somehow this year is different. Somehow, this year I need light even more.
That’s why for my birthday last week, I decided to go see the Zoo Light displays at the Oregon Zoo. This is a very popular yearly event which I’d never seen.
Strolling through the zoo on a chilly December night with a bag of hot kettle corn (instead of birthday cake) looking at the light displays, and children and families oohing and aahing was just the light I needed.
I hope in this season of darkness and cold (at for those in the Northern Hemisphere), you will find a way to solace yourself and loved ones. How will you bring light into your life this Winter Solstice?
Some Poetry
Here is my prose poem, which was posted on the Silver Birch Press blog. I hope you read it, and if you feel inspired, please leave a comment or a like on the site.
Read it HERE.