Adeste Melancholia

/ Daniel Swearingen


Through the last year, I thought myself many things.  Often lost, too much a crazy prophet, and often broken, without a schematic in front of me on how to heal.  Somewhere around Christmas or perhaps a little bit afterwards, I took the time to just sit in one place still, and there in the most extraordinary way I found myself home. – דָּנִיֵּאל

The mirrors are placed upon each side, one so deep in the winter snow, tall dark firs, and a candle that glows. The other goes forward to what, who knows. The year ahead in a stranger’s clothes. But here in the silence of what is warm, Augustus Santa, and a Christ child, would you think stillborn.  So many shadows in lessons of things untried. Still here by this tree side, with lights and ribbons now untied. What is forward or back, I cannot decide. So many times, lost after Christmas, in winter tide, changing what used to be, reaching for the child inside. O come melancholia rest by myside, come down sweet angel so dark inside. So dark inside. The stillness where G_D does abide!

I have seen angels at Christmas time, they are like witches, and both can fly. They leave their charms by my bedside, and when I awake there’s snow outside. Still all this magic, in Yuletide, when it’s December, my mind is right. So, these reflections of one past night, an instant forward, and both are right. To be caught inside the light, of past and future sight, I cannot begin, to cry enough, to end what is held in. O come melancholia rest by myside, come down sweet angel so dark inside. So dark inside. The stillness where G_D does abide!

Adeste Melancholia is a dragon that eats your soul, it comes when you are not ready, and you feel so old. Your temples are not built, and your gospels just fold. Faith can’t treat the daemons of that Christmas so old. Still there’s something I will tell you if you want to be told, hiding in your winter snow. Deeper than any secret you can hold.

Time is a present not forward or past; it is built of instant treasure in the footing you possess. And when you cross the breech from Christmas to the brand new year, torn between Adeste Melancholia and the premise you think clear. Close your eyes an instant and join the note. Hear of a thousand languages of stillness that time bespoke. And to yourself make clear, one moment ever clear. Call down the heavens and say I AM here, this way, I AM here, always. I AM here!

O come melancholia rest by myside, come down sweet angel so dark inside. So dark inside. The stillness where G_D does abide! – 12.30.2017 – דָּנִיֵּאל

48 thoughts on “Adeste Melancholia”

  5. Quietly spoken beautifully written words Daniel. I often think of melancholia as sad needing a jolt of energy, here you have expressed it as a time for stillness in the here and now. It makes sense, to stop in this special time of year and just be. Happy New Year Daniel.

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  8. “Time is a present not forward or past; it is built of instant treasure in the footing you possess.” I reread this line several times. It possesses a point that is so relevant to humanity, that most of us pass it by. I loved this piece. As always I am amazed by your way with words. Happy New Year. ❤

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      • A favorite quote for me from “Buddha” “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly”. Have a great week Daniel. 🙂

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  10. Blessings on you and your family this coming year my dear friend. I am blessed to know you and read your wonderful prose. This piece as all others you write has made its way into a special place in my heart. Shalom, Den

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  11. Daniel you don’t need me to tell you I adore this, as I adore everything you write. This piece really hit home for me however, and I have taken so much of the wording to heart to meditate on. Thank you. Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year. ❤

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  14. It strikes me Daniel that given the time of year that it is this could be one your most prolific pieces. I for one have enjoyed it immensely :).

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  15. Daniel this is another gem that I will cherish, and think much on it’s meaning and apply it to my life. The thought of stillness between the old and the new, that instance of sadness giving way to clarity of self. Well done my friend, and happy new year.

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    • Thank you Wang, I like how you phrased the “instance of sadness giving way to clarity of self”. A society I personally believe that avoids sadness avoids reality. Still it perhaps is the sadness that helps us move forward at some point. Happy New Year to you and your family Wang.

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  16. There are so many parts to this beautiful piece that I can relate to. I love the imagery of the mirrors from past to future and the idea of being caught standing still, this was a favorite. Happy New Year Daniel. ❤

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