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snowflakes, glitter and pasted smiles

snowflake covered icicles

How full of creative genius is the air in which these are generated!  I should hardly admire more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat – Henry David Thoreau

I sat down to write a piece of poetry about Christmas and snow falling.  Words like softly and gently wanted to be written, but they seemed cliché.  You see, a couple of weeks ago someone told me I was all “happy-clappy” about Christmas.  This person knows nothing of my life; the good stuff or the sad. 

We simply look at the pasted smile and go about our days, because that is what we are supposed to do.

Having allowed myself to get duly worked up, I understood that my outlook had nothing to do with outward circumstances; it’s rooted in my intrinsic values and beliefs.  It’s my distinct gift to open every day.

You see, the very first Christmas was not a glitter covered event with gentle snowflakes and hot toddys.  It was in a barn full of animals and ransacked with scandal.  There was dirt and gossip whispered behind backs; homelessness and poverty.  All of the lack and mess was spotlighted by a bright star and the most harmonic choir ever.  Emmanuel, welcome into my ordinary.

Mind cleared, perspective back, I can now write the poem –


Tiny, virtually unnoticeable flakes fell from winter grey skies
Micro dots of crystalline frost coming through the atmosphere
Covering everything with a coat of pure white

It’s quiet
A quiet so loud that I stop and listen
Do I hear anything?

Piles deepen as ice molecules continue their journey; a frolic to a solstice tune
It’s pretty; picture perfect, all is clean

Appearances, like the smile pasted face are not always as they seem
Under the snow lies potholed streets and brown grass
Muddy fields and broken stuff
Buildings and cars; all the remnants of living

For a moment, though, all is calm and all is bright
Pristine and textbook…for a moment


Happy New Year, friends!

Missy


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Comments

  1. Wildlife Art by SylDecember 28, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    Oh so true...beautifully written..Love Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missy ADecember 28, 2015 at 3:24 PM

      Thanks, Mom. Are you missing the snow and cold this year?

      Delete
  2. sewsavyDecember 29, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    Isn't it just like someone to want to rain on your parade? Just because you want to focus on the good in life instead of what hurts doesn't mean it's not there. We all paste smiles on since only a select few should be included in the reality of what our lives are really all about. I like the way your poem turned out but the soft and gentle would have been nice too. Hope your Christmas was merry and your New Year bright.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missy ADecember 29, 2015 at 11:07 AM

      Marlene, I think you almost said it better than I did. We certainly do put on our smiles, in our polite society. Maybe, I'll write another poem that does include soft and gentle. Happy New Year!

      Delete

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