Halfway into the nascent light I noticed, on my morning walk, a pre-sunrise twilight making my wood-trek viable. I walked to the sound of cold snow squeaking underneath my feet. not yet spring even if later I hear the first “di-da” of tits greeting the day of candlemass. Minute by minute the battle for daylight is once again being won.
zigzag in the snow
tracks traversing the meadow —
the snow hare’s evening
Robert Julian Onderdonk
Today it is Haibun Monday at dVerse hosted by Frank and today the subject is Groundhog day or Candlemass which is today. We are now halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox, and the return of daylight is felt day by day.
February 2, 2026
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I have to say, I prefer Candlemass to Groundhog Day as it’s grounded in ancient mythology and religion, and it refers to light and its return. I love the appeal to the senses, the ‘pre-sunrise twilight, the ‘sound of cold snow squeaking’, and that wonderful ‘zigzag in the snow’ – I love snow hares.
Here the church celebrates the memory of Maria going with baby Jesus to the temple 40 days after his birth….
Great stuff, Bjorn. Saw a snowbunny almost a week ago; this morning …stag.
Whatever you call it, I’m glad it’s ticking by.
I just wish for the hares to be white…. but they are almost gone.
Beautifully written nod to Candlemass as “the battle for daylight is once again being won.” Lovely scene, Bjorn!
Candlemass is a wonderful idea, and when tied to the return of light it is even better.
I love the gentle appreciation of winter and all the wonders it brings – Jae
I love winter with snow a lot more than the greyness of autumn
Cold now snow crunching… Spring around the corner!
The cold seem to go on a while more….
& how welcome the return of light is! An uplifting write, Bjorn!
It is so welcome, and when we set out on our long journey it will be a blessing.
Yes, I am awaiting the return of light. Wonderful mention of a hare during the full moon.
We have plenty of hares around our house.
Excellent job Bjorn. I hadn’t heard of Candlemass but it makes a lot of sense. 😊 You get a sense of the approach of more daylight through your haibun.
I had not heard about that word before either…
Fascinating to read of an environment so different from my own. (Such a thing as a hare, we do not have. And although parts of Australia have snow in winter, not this part, or any other place I’ve lived.)
Hares are wonderful… (and I know rabbits are not popular in Australia)
Hope you have good boots my friend — and a flashlight… 😉
Well flashlights are not really needed here any longer…. but during the darkest time they were crucial.
Luv the sounds in your haibun
the crunching snow and the bird calls add so much flabour to the scene
much love
The sound of cold snow is one you have to experience.
I love the details in your haibun. Squeaky snow is winter cold snow. But yes, there is more light and that is the measure, no matter the temperatures. Always I second guess the birds, but they know best.
” Minute by minute the battle for daylight is once again being won”
Your words warmed my heart ❤️
Beautiful from beginning to end. You introduced me to a new event, candlemass.
This poem recalls to me the embodiment of walking in snow and the sounds winter’s close.