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Poetry: December 21, 2022 Issue [#11716]




 This week: A Different Sort of Gift
  Edited by: Fyn Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

From me to you. Passing along a family tradition.




The Christmas Candle

I
am
jostled
from my nap.
Has it been
a year already?
Darkness fades
as my faded linen
blankets are
unwrapped.

Almost reverently (as it should be)
she places me.
Reunited
with my brass base, my holder,
my other half. It feels so connected
to be securely hugged once again.

She looks older this year,
my current lighter. But not too old,
not yet. She has time. She says
I seem shorter than she remembers,
wonders who will outlast whom as she
straightens me, rubs my skin red
with her calloused thumb.

I shrank but a minute!
I feel a flare of temper, but then I sigh.
This, this will be my
one hundred and thirty-seventh
brightening. She is only sixty-eight.
She can't understand.
My heart beats to a different rhythm.
My spine isn't bent, it stands
straight and true.

But then,
the lighters come and go,
mother to daughter over time.

Still, I never know,
one unwrapping to the next,
who will unwrap me. When the lighter
dims, another takes her place,
her features similar, but different
from the preceding ones.
Connected still.
I miss the ones from before.
Each becomes a part of me.
I cry waxen tears; hot, burning hot
tears for those lights now gone.
She doesn't know. Each bit of me
that melts away are for them.

I watch from my place
centered
where they hold
the gathering.
I can see their tree by the front window,
real this year, covered in lights--
pale imitations of my brightness, my warmth.
But then, I truly glow
for but a moment, just long enough
to bestow my blessing upon them.

I watch as she wraps presents in stiff paper,
places cloth ribboned bows on each.
The coverings glitter and shine,
but seems, to me, at least,
cold and hard. I much prefer
how she wraps me: in soft years past,
linen calendars worn to silk from washing.
Years fly by when I sleep;
tis only now I live.

Does she know I absorb her emotions?
That my wax shines brightly
polished by her words and dreams?
That my flame grows brighter
year to year, fed by love ongoing?


They Gather. No one missing.
A new young face, a new generation.
It is time.
Long-sticked match ignites me.
I glow, sending my light
out to encompass them all
in my Christmas Blessing.

For I am their light
chasing away the darkness
for another year. For sixty seconds
I enfold them in brightness
and tis reflected in their smiles.

For one brief minute, I light their way
but it is all the time I need.
Then
with a puff of breath,
my light is
extinguished,
yet never really put out.
For my blessing has been given
and that light always shines.

I reign here
where they gather
til the time comes
and she will wrap me carefully
and put me back in the trunk.
Once again
I have carried out my mission.
I am content to rest, to gather my strength
for the next time. for the next brightening.



A poet can only share their thoughts, dreams and wishes. Share yours. Wishing all a season of love--the best gift of all.




Editor's Picks

All wrapped up in pretty paper and lovely bows!
Gifts for the twelve days of Christmas!



 
STATIC
Santa's Last Gift Open in new Window. (E)
Sometimes it is the smallest...
#2177728 by Fyn Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Capturing Christmas Spirit Open in new Window. (E)
Searching for the Christmas spirit
#2286284 by ദƖυҽყҽʐ 🤍 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2286698 by Not Available.


 
STATIC
Memories of Christmas Open in new Window. (E)
My mind is filled with memories of Christmas long ago.
#2286393 by Norman Author IconMail Icon




 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2279989 by Not Available.


 Christmas Poem Open in new Window. (13+)
A poem inspired by the arrival of a couple of cards and a Christmas letter.
#2285844 by Beth350 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1807033 by Not Available.


STATIC
A Wreath for Joy Open in new Window. (E)
A Christmas Story--there's more to a wreath--for Holiday Rhyme Time
#1364931 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


Santa's Sleigh Open in new Window. (E)
It's for real! ~ Come watch with me ^_^
#1092867 by Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2263803 by Not Available.


The Christmas Doll Open in new Window. (13+)
Storoem of homeless girl wanting a doll from Santa. (Holiday Rhyme Time Contest entry)
#1363489 by Harry Author IconMail Icon


CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS Open in new Window. (E)
Written for Monty's Traditional Poetry Contest
#1362128 by COUNTRYMOM-JUST REMEMBER ME Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer




Nobody’s Home Author IconMail Icon says: Sweet Thanksgiving newsletter, Fyn. From the beautiful quotes at the beginning to your grandmother's saying, "Tough times don't last; tough people do." Thanks for sharing with us. *HeartV*

Monty Author IconMail Icon adds: Into every life a little rain must fall but why does it have to be a full blown storm and not only one but more? Friends, some that we have never met help a lot through the power of the pen.


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