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Post by Fangorn on Dec 1, 2007 19:18:11 GMT -6
This is an old poem I wrote a few years ago. I am not sure if I posted it anywhere before. But I figure it may be a good way to start a nice Christmas thread for us this year. I will try to write and post a new one soon. Please add your 2007 Christmas poetry or prose here. Let's get in the Holiday mood!!
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
Walk down your steps and into the street Examine all the faces you meet Some are happy and some are sad Some regret the life they had
You pass so many and don’t say a thing Not aware what a comment might bring You have your tasks, your day is planned Feeling so rushed, like sand through your hand
Then you are stopped, by a man in your way Homeless, helpless, not the way to start a day You look for a path that will take you away Not wishing to speak, not wishing to stay
His hand lifts up, his eyes are quite blue But you stammer and freeze, not knowing what to do “Sorry, you see, I am in quite a hurry!” Should I give him some money, and be done with this story?
So I fumbled for change, and pressed it into his hand And prepared for my quick exit around this man But he grabbed my wrist and held me back I prepared myself for a vicious attack
“No, dear lady, please don’t run” “Running from yourself is NEVER any fun” “Take this change and have a glass, you need it more than me, MERRY CHRISTMAS”
Fang
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 2, 2007 11:03:55 GMT -6
I like it, especially the "change-up" at the end!
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 11, 2007 17:59:10 GMT -6
SHhhh! I am not here at all today -- I'm grading yards and yards of essays: "In what ways did the institution of slavery determine the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War; and what role was played, in your opinion (supported by the lectures, discussions and course readings) by the issues of 'States' Rights?' "
But it snowed last night, a fourteen inch fall on the mountains, a mere coverlet here in the basin, but seasonal nonetheless!
A Yuletide Benison Unexpected, Undeserved
Soft wonder, the snows have fallen on the trees, and covered all the leaves I would not rake this Fall.
The untidy matter of a yard left to itself, no more reproaches me for all my tardiness and sloth, with a quicker broom and a kindly thought the storm last night, my flaw has remedied.
They have a hard path through this world to tread, who cannot allow themselves to see the scattered bits of magic yet remaining that give us travelers a taste of hope and a hope of peace, while passing, down the weary way.
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Post by Fangorn on Dec 14, 2007 1:11:15 GMT -6
Did slavery really precurse the civil war? Or were the economic considerations of the southern states most at heart in these dealings? Well, luckily I am not in your class, so I am not compelled to answer that question. However, I am compelled to comment on your Yuletide donation. A superior bit of verse I must admit. We have been in VERY short supply of anything near such custom fitting, so your regalia is most appreciated.
Please honor us with much more of your attention, and with myself especially, a parry or reposte here or there is MOST welcome.
Truly yours, Fang
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 15, 2007 0:22:12 GMT -6
LOL -- yeah, the southern-sympathizers like to avoid the issue of slavery altogether; the northern sympatizers like to pretend the war was fought to free the Blacks. Gets to be fun trying to get beyond both mythologies...
Thanks fer the assessment on the poem. Devilish hard to find rhymes that don't require twisting the meaning out shape. I'll drop back into free-verse next time around!
_______
Was wondering if the Hobbits would have had a Yule Tide festival? The calendar they have features both Before and After Yule months, so it must have been a special time of the year for them, even without the Christian context. Can't see party-conscious hobbits giving up a chance for a real mid-Winter's feast!
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Post by Stormrider on Dec 15, 2007 8:34:29 GMT -6
The hobbits would have jumped at the chance to celebrate something! Eating, drinking, fireworks, socializing were the hobbits' favorite passtime when they weren't tending their crops and shops!
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Post by Fangorn on Dec 15, 2007 21:40:06 GMT -6
LET IT BE CHRISTMAS
If there be but one day left chaste and unspoiled in this world: Let it be Christmas!
Afteryule feasts can be such a beast: But when all is said and done: It's Christmas
Take in your crops, close up your shops Give Crachet a break, and Andorinha a rake: It is Christmas
Give Desi and Storm A big mighty horn: To sound Christmas!
And if there can be just one day that lies undimmed before the breaking of the world: Let it be Christmas!
Fang
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Post by Desi Baggins on Dec 16, 2007 8:44:59 GMT -6
I like that one! and nto because my name is in it...I like the very first line!!!
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 17, 2007 9:24:45 GMT -6
LOL! Nice, Fangorn! Hmm, with two rakes one can form the outline structure of a hammock! Yippie!
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 17, 2007 11:25:04 GMT -6
Hobbit-Yule
A brisking air whistled through the crofter's empty yard, and raised dry flakes like a snowy down that was stirred, then quickly blown away.
High on the hills that ringed this dale hard ices formed, and dark-boled trees lost branches to the snapping weight of harsh-handed winter.
The crows' playground, was a carmined patch, where storm-fallen sheep fed the red-smart foxes, as they blinked in the glare of a midnight-haloed moon.
The Yule Log burned behind frost-glazed glass and scattered its summer lights across the frozen muds onto the cold, reflecting faces of the snow-bound walls, and the shoveled banks of the trodden paths that led to byre and fold and barn.
"Tell us again!" they cried, three young voices blent in a fantasy mood, seeking the satisfaction of tales told every year, but only once a year. "Tell us of the Badger, how he captured Old Tom, and held him up for ransom!"
And the pies went round again, and the suck and munch of after-feast treats made a slurping background to the eldritch tales that carried the Hobbit-wisdom of the ages: things needful once when times were less settled and the Wild swept up to every door, and the bumps outside might just as well be the questing paw of a red-fanged wolf, or even a passing troll.
Yule-tide memories, best served when the stomach was full, and the fire brightly leaping.
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Post by Fangorn on Dec 17, 2007 11:59:33 GMT -6
A Soldiers Night Before Christmas www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.aspPerhaps many of you will remember this perennial Christmas favorite. I remember first seeing it when Algamesh (blast from the past, eh storm?) posted it. Since then I have seen many versions, but finally snopes.com has debunked this urban myth. As it turns out, the original was written by a corporal in the marines. The link I posted above will provide you with all the details. Not surprisingly, I liked the original version best. Fang
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Post by Fangorn on Dec 17, 2007 12:17:20 GMT -6
Indeed, good friend Andorhina....a fire brightly leaping would be a fitting backdrop for two friends such as we to sit, sup, slurp and munch our ways to the bare tellings of our hearts. Provided you have the stomach for it!!! LOLOL! While even now I am still re-reading your first bit of Yuletide cheer, you give me another. I have not been this satiated in years. Do you do caterings?
Fang
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Post by Stormrider on Dec 17, 2007 13:47:23 GMT -6
Very hobbit Yuletide-ish, Andorinha! Very comfy cozy feeling! I like it!
I like the soldier poem, too. It is a humble way to honor our troops and appreciate the sacrifice they give for all of our freedom.
Yes, I remember back in the old Algamesh days! Whew! That was FIVE years ago. We opened up TR at the MSN site on January 31, 2002! Wow! 5 years.
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Post by Fangorn on Dec 17, 2007 19:31:19 GMT -6
5 years. A hop skip and a jump to an Elf. I wish I was an Elf.
Damn....not gonna happen is it???
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 17, 2007 20:41:42 GMT -6
Hmmm, five years then, or is it almost six? Does seem like a full age ago...
"catering" -- hmmm, best I can do is a "heat-and-serve" pie, but all (and sundry) are welcome anytime!
Trying to slip into the Christmas mood, started watching my old (1984) tape of "The Box of Delights," lovely old carrols and Xmas scenery a la traditional 1930's mode.
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