Frozen, desolate, leafless trees sticking out of the ground like brown, bony, monster fingers breaking through the barren soil to take over the world. An eminent threat that has chased the colour green from the landscape.
Veld fires rage with crimson breath and a smokey desire to destroy roaming grasslands and leave behind scorched, apocalyptic fields of nothingness.
At the break of day, valleys are drenched in a haunting mist, engulfing, hiding everything with an icy fog. Patches of frost lay like puddles of white blood in the black, burned fields; an aftermath of a battle with the freezing dark.
The shadows grow unforgivingly, suffocating what remains of the warmth of the sun. A futile effort to defend the territory he so lovingly once inhabited, but lost to the relentless ambush and attack of the cold. The yellow star inevitably loses the fight and hands us over to the icy hands of the Creature from the North.
A chilly wind chase leaves and paper bags along empty roads. Howling like a snow wolf who’s lost its infant. Tugging and pulling on scarves and tightly held jackets that’s worn by stern faces with red ears, red noses and hidden hands.
Sounds of sneezes and coughs echo in the crisp air when the wind decides to shut up for a while.
Winterfell without snow and Ned Stark. A dark fortress, shortening our days and reducing temperatures to one digit lows.
Chimney stacks come alive with dark, bellowing smoke as families huddle around crackling fireplaces, drinking soup or watching TV, under piles of blankets… Kids talk through chattering teeth and Fathers complain with weary bones, as Mothers try and keep some perspective.
And it’s all because of Winter.
Which I hate. Because unlike other parts of the world, Winter in South Africa doesn’t come with Santa and the fluffy white stuff people ski on. It’s just miserable. Jack Frost is a real pain in the ass and Elsa, one cruel bitch.
You can have them both back.
And that’s why you have to have a Solstice celebration, with all the traditions that Christianity then stole for Christmas – which is fine when Christmas and Winter coincide, but (apparently!) sucks when they don’t. As a Christian, I would be all over a Solstice Feast if I lived in South Africa…
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That sounds like a great option! Would there be gifts involved? I love gifts. Especially when I’m getting them…
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Lovely writing. It has always been my dream to never experience another winter. I need to find a way to make money without working and follow the sun. It is a little odd to think that Africa gets cold, I must have watched too many movies where everything in Africa is hot and dry.
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Maybe it’s only the Southern tip of Africa that gets horrendous weather in June/Jul/August.
And maybe it’s not so bad…maybe it’s just me…
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No, I agree with you Winter sucks. I don’t ski, like having colds, or enjoy snow at all. I probably should be living someplace warmer I am counting on climate change to do away with Winter altogether.
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Hear hear! I’ll drink to that. Grab a glass of hot chocolate…
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Yeah, it probably wouldn’t be worth it without the snow.
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It is not, my friend, it is not.
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Lovely evocative descriptions thanks. And of course I’m in the same winter boat here in New Zealand. If it’s to be winter, I want snow and Santa, not cold mud and freezing wind, with no winter pleasures.
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I feel your pain. And I hope I evoked the right kinda feelings…
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My goodness! There is a serious writer in here? Had no idea, but am MOST IMPRESSED. Lovely imagery in this! Well done you!
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I’m even a little bit impressed with myself…thanks for the comment/compliment.
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That sounds super lame. It’s summer here, and very, terribly, awfully hot. Enjoy.
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Please get sunburnt for me…then sent me a selfie. I would love to see some red skin that’s NOT the result of people freezing.
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