I decided for Christmas that we would do a joint prompt. I asked on my FB page for one holiday word per poet. I think everyone who responded actually IS a poet, but many don't post here. I am hoping they will give this prompt a try because they contributed to the prompt. Here's the whole list.
Pick AT LEAST five words from the list to write a poem. It can, but does not have to, be about the holiday season.
present - Meghan Elizabeth Robb
snow - Victoria Rivas
wreath - Tad Richards
yuletide - Bonnie Johnson
family - Priscilla Tennant Herrington
holly - David Mclean
Bethlehem - Linda Rivas Bole
unspoken - Mar Walker
tree - Paul Bole
symbolism - Suzy Lamson
singular - Bob Tuttle
good will - Suzanne Niedzielska
joy - Anindya Ganguly
Christmas Poem - (Rondeau)
ReplyDeleteOn the ground lies freshly fallen snow
Yuletide greetings we give to all we know
as we set up and decorate the tree
sing carols of the Christmas soon to be
lights of green and red give the night a happy glow.
Stars shine and brighten the earth below
joy as winter solstice blesses you and me
the wind blows the snow light and free
on the ground.
Presents wrapped and tied with a bow
a wreath upon the door to show
the holiday spirit so filled with glee
we eat cookies and drink eggnog and tea
as we watch the snow swirl and dance
on the ground.
Wow! what a great effort! Leave it to you to write a form for something this difficult. This is surely a keeper!
DeleteWow..:O Poetic verses truly danced with the words <3 <3 <3
DeleteNice imagery, paints a great holiday picture. I love the rondeau form also!
DeleteBonnie, this poem literally dances with music. Good job!!!
DeleteYes, snow was on the ground
ReplyDeletesurrounding the scene
of what transpired in Bethlehem.
The Holy Family was in a manger,
underneath the Christmas tree,
that was covered with lights,
to announce the yuletide. Halleluiah.
Joy to the world.
and peace and goodwill to all. lovely gentle scene.
DeleteAwesome :D
DeleteSorry Linda, but this made me LOL at the thought of "The Holy family was in a manger". They were in a stable. The baby was in the manger. But nice take on using the words.
Deletedon't drink wine and publish your poetry online for all to see. Wait until morning and read it again and picture what you wrote. I am LOL...what else can I do??? hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe
DeleteYes, snow was on the ground
surrounding the scene
of what transpired in Bethlehem
The Holy Family was in a stable
underneath the Christmas tree
that was covered with lights
to announce the yuletide. Halleluiah
Joy to the world.
my revision to my manger to stable mistake. LOL
Wolverine
ReplyDeleteHigh up in the snow-cladded mountains I felt lost
Hungry, tired, with unspoken thoughts of my family
Being my singular root of respite
Amidst the dense varsity of trees, filled with symbolism
Wrapped up in an intangible overlap of present and past.
I have combed for the elusive wolverine for years.
Through the boreal forests and alpine tundra
But alas, it seems, the yuletide of my luck had finally expired
Locked in the Bethlehem’s dolmen with God’s own figurine.
And today perhaps I would depart too, never to resurrect.
But amidst my despotic despair a hint of hope lurked
One small weasel-like creature stared at me curiously
As my eyes fell on the mustelid with no wings of an Angel
It leaped with endless joy, losing the sordid sorrows
Amongst the biomes of coniferous spruces and pines.
Perhaps as goodwill, the moment seemed to last for infinity.
Yet, someway within a closet of desire, it spanned for a second.
I had at last met the holly saint of alpines in Alaska, at last.
Who would probably stag me to the Celtic clouds of my origin.
As I revivify from these Deltaic dooms and reach Nirvana, again.
you have a wonderful way with imagery that makes your poetry come alive. this poem left me breathless! I am so glad you have joined our little group as I have so much loved your poems thus far and look forward to reading more from you. you are an awesome poet!
DeleteThanks Bonnie. I try my level best and thank you for motivating me to push myself further. Cheers Andy :)
DeleteI loved the beautiful imagery and the way you play with words. I absolutely love you poetry! Keep it coming, please. I'm so happy you joined our group!
DeleteLike my sisters, I love your imagery. Just curious. What exactly do you mean by a "varsity of trees"?
DeleteYes Andy, your poetry does come alive. It dances and it sings. And you settled one mystery in this: You are a male. I had been wondering and I think a couple other members were enjoying not knowing. You write so androgynously. Welcome aboard. Paul
DeleteHi Victoria
DeleteVarsity mainly means university/team. The trees were standing very aligned an disciplined in the wild making an impression of denser aura rather than what actually exists. Simultaneously if you observe the the psychology of the narrator, he is tired of this never ending discipline of the wild which mesmerizes and confuses him at the same time. He is awe-struck as well as puzzled/frustrated by this congenial conformity of nature. :D
Cheers Andy :D
Hey Paul
DeleteLet me stay androgynous buddy :D. You may be right, or may be completely wrong. I am not confirming on that. Let me be the anonymous writer from Down Under. And who knows I might surprise you more. Btw what made you think I am a guy (just curious) :D
Love Andy
Ok Andy, keep your androgyny. What gave you away was two things. The last two lines of your first poem and your nick name. But you are right that might be anybody.
DeleteAndy, what made me realize you were a male was looking at your blogger profile and seeing that you were, well, male. LOL
Deletehahahaha..:D @Victoria I can be pretending ;)
DeleteCheated on this one. Came across a poem from 12/26/2009 on a FB "On this day" thingie, and decided to alter it to fit the prompt. And I actually think the poem is better for it. It's just a fun poem, nothing serious, but I think it turned out okay.
ReplyDelete'TWAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house,
where my family was sleeping, including my spouse,
was a mess piled high from the previous day
amid new Christmas presents, a huge disarray.
There was paper and boxes and ribbons galore
and leftover dinner. We couldn't eat any more.
There were dishes and silverware, pans in the sink
and the random half-full, and one half-empty, drink.
So I put on a movie. White Christmas of course
and started right in with a singular force.
Out paper! Out ribbons! Out boxes! Out food!
Gifts under the tree, stacked in piles, subdued.
Like a great yuletide demon I tear through the rooms
to rid the whole house of all trash where it looms,
until once again, the house clean and neat,
I enjoy my vacation, and put up my feet.
lmbo! love it! thanks for giving me my first smile and chuckle of the day.
DeleteYes, Victoria, I think this was my first smile and laugh of the day also. it is very funny!!!
DeleteLoved the playfulness of the words <3 <3 :D
DeleteI loved your take off on "twas the night before Christmas". It was really funny! "...like a great yuletide demon I tear through the rooms..."
ReplyDeleteWe see and feel joy
ReplyDeletewe have carried it to Bethlehem
all bearing frankincense and myrrh
all carrying wreaths of holly
to place by the Christmas tree
on the fake snow...
wow! that last line is so powerful it took me by surprise. well written! love the twist of that last line.
DeleteThank you Bonnie. All this encouragement. It keeps me going.
DeleteMade me nostalgic <3
Deletefake snow says a lot...what else is fake about these holidays. Powerful. A quick stab in the night...
DeleteA Wreath for the Poets
ReplyDeleteThis Yuletide, we look back upon a year
Where good will could be fit inside a thimble,
Where hope and change were trumped by greed and fear,
A wall, and not a tree, the potent symbol;
But still, we have our words, our voices still,
For family we care more than a token,
We'll sing out loud the season of good will
Toward humankind that will not go unspoken
Yes, its essential to be optimistic in these days. Great message Tad :)
DeleteAwesome! This is the theme I wanted to take also, but every try turned into a political rant without a lot of poetry. You found the poetry in the message.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would see what I could craft with all the words and I hope it does not sound like a mishmash, as it is meant to be a coherent expression of something I actually feel.
ReplyDeletePresent in All Time Always
ReplyDeleteJoy is an every moment expression
Of the unspoken yet ever present heart
That beats with singular good will
and multiple expansion
so that Bethlehem is everywhere
so that family is present worldwide
and that symbolism resonates yuletide
in all times and places. Rejoicing is,
making a wreath of all that is holy.
A tree covered in snow or not,
that is evergreen, holly, pine or other,
stands now at center of the world
to become its heart, beating with life
in this holy time which is always.
wow ..:o <3
Deleteafter rereading the poem as I was copying it for myself I needed to change a word, so I deleted and re-posted, sorry.
ReplyDeleteYOU DID IT! You used all of the words and used the coherently! Sweet poem good job!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool (for Yule).
ReplyDelete