Seasonal gifts – Merry Christmas to all.

Working my way, this morning, through one of my Bachelard collections and came across this poem about gifts and seasons and the meaning of things.

Thought it might be nice to share it again. (Though maybe it’s an odd choice, now I think on it).

Merry Christmas

Frank

~

a seasonal gift of three memories (and a dream)

look
at this man

he is old

foolish

he has lost
himself

we
must give to him
a gift

something
that he can hold
warm
and near

yes

that is what
we must
do …

~

I shall do it

the voice
was a song

I shall give him
new green shoots

warm sun
gold on closed eyes

slow small creeks
running fast
filled
with the snow
that was

the humming
of bees

he will have
a puppy dog tail
that is
wagging

wagging
and wagging

so young
both he
and she

I give him
this memory . . .

~

I …

I am
stronger

mellifluous tones
a deep singer’s voice

sunshine
on a meadow

running
through long grass

rolling the dog
roll
the boy over
and over

I will give him
the laughter

the whole of a day
full of that sound
outside

without fetter
he will run

to the pool
of the creek
a swim
in the cold
the very still-cold
water

a long evening
watching the sun
sink slow
in the west

a hot day

in
a memory …

~

mushrooms

and moist
green moss

this voice
flickering
between a high pitched
whine
and
a deep
rumble

I will give him
the thrill
of a storm

where
his mother’s bed
his father’s arms
gave comfort

while roof iron rattled

to lightning
and thunder

I give him
a new-born lamb
staggering
first steps

the rain falling down
while he watches
wondering
if it ever
will stop

then gazing
into the fire

dancing
a memory

~

I could give him
the cold

I could take him
to snow

rolling a man
out of the white
but
with buttons

stick for a mouth
and a nose

stony smile

I could bring him
the beauty
of that

the sound
was a wheeze

a whistle

harsh but
not really unkind

but no
I will not do that

I will give him
nothing

not yet

but soon

after
all of the smiles
that your memories
might bring
he will come to me

we
will dream

~