A sequence of gogyohka for Frank Tassone’s solstice prompt.

longest night full of cloud

unlit by any moon

unlit by any sun

yet when the morning comes

the balance has tipped

at the end of the longest night

is always the morning

perched on the rim of the sky—

though clouds hang heavy

night’s grip loosens

in the dark

cloud-heavy rain-running

loud with night voices

of braided water

waiting for the promised morning