December 21, the shortest day of the year, the longest night, the beginning of Winter... This is the time for comfort and introspection.
"The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time - a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken." - Frederick Lenz (1950-1998)
Image: Candles by Dominique Teng©2022
In sixth grade Mrs. Walker
slapped the back of my head
and made me stand in the corner
for not knowing the difference
between persimmon and precision.
How to choose persimmons. This is precision.
Ripe ones are soft and brown-spotted.
Sniff the bottoms. The sweet one
will be fragrant. How to eat:
put the knife away, lay down newspaper.
Peel the skin tenderly, not to tear the meat.
Chew the skin, suck it,
and swallow. Now, eat
the meat of the fruit,
so sweet,
all of it, to the heart.
Fragment of the poem "Persimmons" by Li-Young Lee, 1986
Image: Persimmons by Dominique Allmon©2022
Queen Elisabeth II in 1953 (February 6, 1926 - September 8, 2022)
Queen Elisabeth II passed away peacefully on September 8, 2022, at the Balmoral Castle. She was 96 years old.
She was Britain's longest serving monarch with a reign spanning over seven decades. She ruled over United Kingdom and fourteen Commonwealth realms. Her oldest son, Charles, inherited the throne and will be known as the King Charles III.
Elisabeth II ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, after her father, King George VI, died. Fifteen Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, served Her Majesty during her reign that was at times filled with political turmoil, personal sorrow, jubilation, scandal, and controversy.
Her death filled many hearts with sorrow. She was known for her strong personality, wisdom, charm, and wit, and will be greatly missed by people in Britain and all over the world.
The Queen's funeral was scheduled for September 19, 2022. That day was declared a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.
By Dominique Teng
Image source unknown but greatly appreciated