Every Gateway... a paradox (and the sacred fires still burn)

@Uootem 2002

Brothers and Sisters of such ancient scared fires
watch the seasons progressing... the turning of the cycle of life
each in their own triad days and time of years
Smahain, Beltane, Inbolc and Lughnasadh are they.

The darkness becomes longer than the light
Eve's fruit gathered for Adam's winter feast
his torch for her brought to rekindle such fires
and mortals mourn the passage of summers once spent
for this world and the other becomes their domain... 
when veils are ripped and Smahain predicts future fates with his mischief
for the heart of every gateway is a paradox.
between anticipation and dread... life is such a parallel.

As a long winter finds its ending... the heart is not barren
but pregnant with the seed of the sun... a promise of new life
ripened with fertility and generosity of the mother earth
and as her breast springs forth nourishment for the soul
we are awakened to the promise of the light in the fire
and sweet sister Imbolc sings her song of thanksgiving
for the heart of every gateway is a paradox.
between anticipation and dread... life is such a parallel.

The brilliant fire of the honed-god... sacred fuel of three times three
shines brightly in new summer sun and the eyes of the goddess
for his own rebirth is as her lover... mortals dance around his majesty
and the full glory is the summer of our days now come
vivid colors and vibrant scents of the season fill the tingling breeze
and there is hope, pleasure and protection in the soul of Beltane
for the heart of every gateway is a paradox.
between anticipation and dread... life is such a parallel.

And the Goddess of the Stars and Immortality
knows that we reap what we have sown... our skills lay bare
in the waning of the years that have come and gone
and the crow sits on the battlefield of love and life
to convey the dead into the realm of lost and lorn
as Lughnasadh curses men with the pain of labor... (where is their strength)
for the heart of every gateway is a paradox.
between anticipation and dread... life is such a parallel.