Posted: 18/01/22

Sunrise 21 December - Jon Witts

Watching the Winter Solstice sun rise above the Humber and the city, it was a cloudy morning but as the sun rose there were moments of golden clouds and beams of light breaking through to illuminate the grey waters of the Humber.  Bringing my focus to the sounds and smells around me; the gulls crying out as they circled above and below me, the scent of the varnished plywood tunnel that I stood in, becoming my space and home as I looked out over my views East and West.  Walking from one end of the tunnel to the other and noticing the change in temperature and air movement within the space.  Looking out again and watching the people.  People, heads down, walking with purpose; perhaps off to work.  Workmen already hard at work before the sun rose, clearly visible across the cityscape in their bright yellow vests.  The woman in Queen’s Gardens stopping and taking her time to feed the birds and the man throwing bread to the ducks in the pond.  I wonder if they are there every morning.  The lady on crutches slowly making her way to wherever she is heading and couples talking as they walk through town.  It struck me how few people look up as they make their way through . . . .  I wonder if all those people I saw in my hour knew that someone stood, keeping watch over them and the city as the sun rose to usher in the end of the longest night and the promise of Spring and new life to come.  Happy Winter Solstice and thank you for such a beautiful experience.  :)