When holidays come on strong,

particularly when they appear to carry with them

the cultural imperative to

engage and be happy ,

I often become quiet and inward..

Is it just my contrary ways

or my need to touch base first and then extend?

No matter, I’ve come to expect a tunnel down visit

followed by a discovery of new passageways,

which inevitably lead me upward.

The new light is shimmery and richer coming up from  below.                                                                   .