Thursday, December 23, 2010

Ghosts of Christmas Past






The
Ghosts of Christmas Past?
Absurd;
they're never past
at all.

Passed, perhaps,
they linger in the hall
a scent unseen
a sight unheard, a laugh unlaughed

Watching drinking playing rapt
unwrapping revelries they  made
when they had form.

Some were torn
away too soon and swept too far
still hearing laughing cries not sudden tears

And once each year
they show their hidden smiles
 smoky, floating, gone but smiling still

Laugh? perhaps they will,
make a sudden joke, a flame 
leap up, or old remembered song
and then
(perhaps)

a new dance will begin 
free from old sins.




December 2010




A Very Merry Christmas, A Happy New Year and additional Happy Holidays of Any Variety Not Previously Mentioned
to all my pixelated internet friends and readers who make this world a little brighter with their own 
ability to shine
This is as cheerful as I get, folks. Enjoy.





All photos from the author's files




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13 comments:

  1. IliteratepoetDecember 23, 2010 at 12:59 PM

    Thanks for shining! :) Happy Christmas to you too.

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  2. ClaudiaDecember 23, 2010 at 1:28 PM

    thanks for sharing this together with those lovely pics - a merry christmas to you as well Joy

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  3. FireblossomDecember 23, 2010 at 1:34 PM

    Right back atcha, lady. Having the chance to connect with you, read your fab-freakin-tastic writing, and enjoy (much, much) your wit, smarts and, yes, appealing sourness, has been one of the highlights of 2010 for me, and I look forward to dragging each other into more bitter misery in 2011. ;-)

    Your feral friend,

    Shay

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  4. MaureenDecember 23, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Wonderful images and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

    I've appreciated so much your comments at my place and look forward to reading more your excellent poetry in the New Year.

    Merry Christmas, Joy!

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  5. Maude LynnDecember 23, 2010 at 4:52 PM

    joy. Sorry, too much?

    Seriously, I love this. The form is perfect.

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  6. Monkey ManDecember 23, 2010 at 5:45 PM

    What a great way to bring in Christmas present but with a fond look back. Awesome. Merry Christmas to you.

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  7. moondustwriterDecember 23, 2010 at 6:29 PM

    your poem inspired mine - I ran off and wrote it and never commented - Ha

    Thanks sweetie the pictures are priceless

    Love and hugs

    ReplyDelete
  8. kaykualaDecember 23, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    Yes, their loving spirits are there. The poem is great so also the pictures.

    Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for all of your wonderful responses in 2010. It bodes well for 2011. Thank you Ma'am!

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  9. Sherry Blue SkyDecember 23, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    It is the time of year when thoughts hark back to earlier times, for sure. I love the photos.......and to the right of the loving couple on the couch it almost looks like one of the spirits in your poem is beaming away. So happy to have come across your writing, Hedgewitch. I look forward to reading more in 2011.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BeachannyDecember 23, 2010 at 11:12 PM

    Dear Joy...joy, joy, joy..I'm thrilled to have met you this year. I love the how of your poems, the way you scratch your verbs from treasure troves and attach them to new nouns and an adjective or two to make phrases that thrill my nerves in the way 49ers felt finding a chunk of gold.

    This piece played with words like Christmas carols on memories...much more in 2011, please!!
    Gay

    ReplyDelete
  11. hedgewitchDecember 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    @FB And likewise, coitainly. Thanks for all the help with my sanity issues. Shine on, you crazy diamond...

    @MamaZen Hold it down, girl.

    @Very Literate Poet: Same to you, and please continue expanding my mythic horizons in 2011.

    @kaykuala: Thanks and happy holidays to you, my friend.

    @Sherry Blue Sky: Yes, that's an African violet, protecting things. Good catch. Your words have been a constant pleasure and source of support all year, not just to me, but to so many. Keep up the good work.

    @Monkey Man--some days your blog is the only laugh I get, so don't stop. Keep those knuckles draggin...friction is good.

    @Gay: You know I feel exactly the same. You are a very strong light against the dark and after a few months I feel like I'm almost getting tan. ;-)Thanks for all the support and kindness you show every day, and the grace of your friendship.

    @ Maureen, moondustwriter, Claudia: It's a pleasure to know and be inspired by all of you and your exceptional talent, and the support you give others. Thanks for being out there, shining.

    And to everyone who comes by and takes the time to read and hang out here, a very sincere thanks, and a very Merry Christmas.

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  12. Jenne' R. Andrews December 24, 2010 at 1:44 PM

    this is very honest and i just love it. brava! xxxxj

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  13. g-manDecember 24, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    You are one of the many blessings I've counted over this past year...Merry Christmas.
    Galen

    ReplyDelete

"We make out of the quarrel with others, rhetoric, out of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry." ~William Butler Yeats

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