We huddled in the December darkness
when from far away a gentle song
ripped apart the wintry moody starkness,
we raised in chorus, sang along
and with our song came candles, light
to fill the voids that sunlight left
erased the shadows, did what’s right
to leave us joyful, sated, less bereft
when days are shortest Lucy came
to leave with us her hope and flames.
Benvenuto Tisi
Today is not yet the longest night of the year, but the 13th of December is the day of Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia) which is one of the few days of saints we still celebrate in Sweden so many hundred years after the reformation. Sarah prompts us at dVerse to write about the light and the day and I thought about how much this day still means in so many places with Lucia’s of all ages singing at schools, workplaces, and homes for the elderly.
December 13, 2022
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Thank you for sharing such a lovely video, Bjorn. I like your poem very much – it’s so simple and direct, and there’s a real beauty in that. I like the way the “gentle” song just breaks apart the darkness. We all need a little of that at the moment, whichever solstice we are approaching.
This is exquisitely drawn, Bjorn! I love the crisp and succinct tone of this poem and the image; “a gentle song ripped apart the wintry moody starkness.” ❤️❤️
Nicely done, Bjorn!
Gorgeous music!
“filling the void that sunlight left” such a beautiful line
p.s. the ceremony in the church is as beautiful as the music. very comforting
Interesting that it has become such an iconic part of Swedish music. It is originally a Neopolitan song that I think is made immortal by Enrico Caruso…
Caruso’s voice gets right into my limbic system. Is he singing about your St. Lucy from the myth?
Yes… same song the choir sings
Fill the voids that sunshine left… how beautiful it sounds, soft music shattering darkness!
“joyful, sated, less bereft”… beautiful !
I can feel the warmth of song infiltrating the cold dark. Such memories keep the light burning! May they burn bright.
I enjoyed both video and poem, Björn, especially the oxymoron ‘from far away a gentle song ripped apart the wintry moody starkness’ and the way you made the song crescendo. My sister was born 13th December; maybe she should have been called Lucy instead of Carol, as she is a constant light in my life, as opposed to the other sister who is the embodiment of darkness.
Beautifully told. The rhyming scheme just adds so much to it.
A beautiful poem, knowing where you reside, custom / history make it even more meaningful.
You go, Lucy girl!
–Shay
Beautiful! Almost a short sonnet, and it flows so smoothly.
I did not know Saint Lucy’s Day was celebrated in Sweden. God knows, the whole world could use some 20/20 vision right now. Beautiful poem, Bjorn.
Thank you for sharing your memories of that authentic celebration Björn. It wasn’t until adulthood, that I became aware of Saint Lucy. Fascinating… 👍🏼🙂✌🏼🕊
This is beautiful, Björn. Thanks for sharing the lovely video.
This really shines, Bjorn. St. Lucy sure has her work to do in freezing dark Ukraine.