User Poetry

[GeoffC]

Gary

Thank you for your kind words...

[GeoffC]

Christmas 2010

When they sneak a look at the base of the tree,
Seven or seventy; no matter their years,
Watch in their eyes as they glisten with glee.

Presents piled high, is that what they see?
And a fir decked with baubles that shine bright like tears,
When they sneak a look at the base of the tree.

There’s something for you and there’s something for me?
Heavenly choir at the door, bringing carols to our ears,
Watch in their eyes as they glisten with glee.

Remember we all saw him, St. Nicholas for free,
List’ now as the wind carries their praise and cheers,
When they sneak a look at the base of the tree.

Centuries ago a new age did begin, with nought then to foresee,
That an echo, once started, would ring down the years,
Watch in their eyes as they glisten with glee.

Wrought from the past a lasting story to see,
Of the Teacher who came, from heaven to steer;
When they sneak a look at the base of the tree,
Watch in their eyes as they glisten with glee.


© December 9th 2010

[kennyc]

Wonderful Geoff!

You're a virtual poem generator these last few days!

[WT Sharpe]

"Seven or seventy; no matter their years,
Watch in their eyes as they glisten with glee."

I wouldn't know, I'm only 60. But I can vouch for 6 to 60 year-olds.

Thanks for another wonderful poem, Geoff.

[Vandy]

@Geoff - "Christmas 2010"

You continue to produce great work, Geoff. It's hard to find fault with a piece about Christmas anyway. As usual, your word images are great and your repeat of the two key lines is handled very well. I very much enjoyed how you brought in both the true meaning of Christmas as well as the "little one's" image of the holiday. As WT Sharpe commented, I can't speak to 70 but I am 60 years in body but the mind still spans across the childhood years.

I had some trouble trying to keep a rhythm within your three line stanzas. I wonder if it might be better if you tried more of an open verse aproach to the piece? If so, you certainly wouldn't want to lose the power of the repeating lines. They really carry the piece.

Another great work, Geoff. I really appreciate your sharing yourself with us and giving us such joy in reading your work.

Once I get home, I'll see to getting more of my own work posted.

Regards,

[GeoffC]

Thanks All ...

@Gary : The three line stanzas, of course, are part of the overall villanelle form that I am using for these. And I do agree there is not a full flow within the rhythm. I've had less success with this year's christmas poem than I had with last years....

I'll see what an alternative one brings ...

[GeoffC]

...

A choir of heaven’s angels are waiting at the door,
To sing a song of Christmas peace and cheer;
A joyous song to lift the spirits, as never heard before.
A message full of laughter that will draw you ever near,
To the meaning held in the Story; in the story at its core.

A choir of heaven’s angels are waiting for the time,
To sing a song of Christmas peace and cheer.
In the wind there’s a voice as the bells they do chime.
Remember the shepherds, the angels and the kings; for they were there,
At the start of the Christmas Tale that we remember at this time.

There’s a choir at the door, of heavenly angels who will sing
A feast of carols, of a goodness, joy and cheer,
Of tidings to bring, with news of a King.
Santa’s sleigh decked with bells, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling
Let’s not forget, there’s a story behind Christmas; every year.

[kennyc]

Excellent!

[Joebill]

a little something I wrote years ago.

Holiday Card, 2004

I've had a hard time coming up with something to write this year. ( And again in 2010, but I'll think about it and see what i can come up with.)

For this, then that idea... So I came up with something else.

Well... it took a bit of working on it.

Evidently my Muse was helping with the sugar plums and toys dancing
in various dreams, so I took a drive to get something to eat.

Muse showed up and had a sit in the car passenger seat. After all I
had suggested it, take a few minutes break, relax, put her feet up
on the dashboard, snooze for a few, then go out and help with a few
more dreams.

She seems to flicker now and again, must be off to take care of some
dreams.

I drove awhile longer and started thinking about the holidays.

hmm, better get this out of the way...
[ Copyright by Jim M. Pierce, 2004-2010. All Rights Reserved. ]

My first Christmas eve and day off in 5 years. So I decided to relax
a bit, well, some part of me is still driving off to eat supper at a
restaurant.

Anyway.

I wondered what the B-Movie monsters were up to. Hadn't heard much
from them recently.

So I wandered off to the B-Movie Monster Coffee Shoppe.

What ?! You never heard of it ?

Well, it does exist, but I don't know exactly where it is. The Muse
and I found it though.

Lets park here.

Go on, go ahead and I'll... okay, I'll go in alone. Its okay, they
are on holiday break.

So, I saunter in, wearing my fedora and trench coat. Jeans, brightly
colored beach shirt, and a pair of boots.

Gorgonzola, she is the head waitress, ignores me.

It gets quiet.

I say, "I'm just here for the coffee, no autographs..."

conversation resumes.

The Thing, just in from an expo in the Antarctic, glowers at me. I
ignore it.

Thats not the Addam's Family Thing, its the other Thing.

Place looks kinda gloomy. Yeah, I see it now that my eyes have
adjusted to the dark. Buncha monsters, all frowning and crying in
their coffee, or what ever it is they are drinking.

A few Christmas decorations. No stockings hung by the fireplace with
care though.

The waitress, you remember her ? Gorgonzola by name, says 'We aint
got no coffee for humans in here ! Buzz off !"

I reply, "I'm not doing anything but relaxing. I'll go in a few
minutes, just wanted a relief from the holidays."

You coulda heard a cricket chirp a trillion miles away.

"What ?"

Gorgonzola got real sad and said, "Honey, Santa don't stop here."

I was dumb founded. I mean, really !

"But uh..."

"No, he don't stop here. You think all of us know we are never
gonna get any presents ? We are the monsters of moviedom."

"damn... Wait, I'll be back in a few minutes."

So, I go back outside, hmm. certainly got cold all of a sudden.

Windy to. Cannot hardly get the flying carpet out of the trunk. I
manage it anyway.

So, how to catch Santa on the one night he is busy ?

Well, I'm not gonna tell ya how. But I manage it. Windy hear abouts
for some reason.

I try to talk to him, but he pointedly looks at me then away and
never looks at me again.

So, I go to a toy store. Buy some gifts, get them wrapped.

I have to make a coupla trips. Carpet wasn't designed to carry that
much.

I bought a Santa hat.

Gave presents out to the monsters.

A small miniature village for a certain giant lizard, an Antarctic
adventure set for the Thing, a tall building toy to a certain big
ape, and so on.

I put up a small tree. Decorated it. Handed out the presents.

It all of a sudden got real quiet in the B-Movie Monster Coffee
Shoppe.

Santa was there watching me.

I handed him a newspaper, pointed to the photos of the damage done
to various places.

And asked, "You see any of these folks in those photos ? I don't."

And I continued handing out gifts.

He left.

But I did notice some gifts I hadn't bought being looked at and
played with by the B-Movie Monsters.

And there was a plate of cookies and milk on the counter, with my
name on it.

I nodded and said, kinda choked up, "thanks."

Gorgonzola smiled. A few of the monsters, well, the ones that could
speak words, said thanks.

I went out to the car. Muse wasn't there. Left me a note. "seems you
didn't need my help after all."

Well, maybe one of her sisters helped me.

I don't have any wonderous words or anything, so I'll just say

"A happy holiday, and a good night !"

[exeunt]

[Vandy]

@Geoff - "Untitiled (posted today)

Another very nice piece with a very nice message.

@Joebill - "Holiday Card, 2004"

Now this has to be one of the most different and entertaining Christmas story/prose I've read in a very long time.

You've touched on a group that not many people give thought to.

I reallly enjoyed your "storybook" approach to the piece and your delivery was absolutely enjoyable.

Great Piece, Jim. Thanks for sharing.


Regards,

[Joebill]

Thanks.

It is rather more about those who don't get thought of by others. The poor, the homeless.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Joebill

a little something I wrote years ago.

Holiday Card, 2004

I've had a hard time coming up with something to write this year. ( And again in 2010, but I'll think about it and see what i can come up with.)

For this, then that idea... So I came up with something else.

Well... it took a bit of working on it.

Evidently my Muse was helping with the sugar plums and toys dancing
in various dreams, so I took a drive to get something to eat.

Muse showed up and had a sit in the car passenger seat. After all I
had suggested it, take a few minutes break, relax, put her feet up
on the dashboard, snooze for a few, then go out and help with a few
more dreams.

She seems to flicker now and again, must be off to take care of some
dreams.

I drove awhile longer and started thinking about the holidays.

hmm, better get this out of the way...
[ Copyright by Jim M. Pierce, 2004-2010. All Rights Reserved. ]

My first Christmas eve and day off in 5 years. So I decided to relax
a bit, well, some part of me is still driving off to eat supper at a
restaurant.

Anyway.

I wondered what the B-Movie monsters were up to. Hadn't heard much
from them recently.

So I wandered off to the B-Movie Monster Coffee Shoppe.

What ?! You never heard of it ?

Well, it does exist, but I don't know exactly where it is. The Muse
and I found it though.

Lets park here.

Go on, go ahead and I'll... okay, I'll go in alone. Its okay, they
are on holiday break.

So, I saunter in, wearing my fedora and trench coat. Jeans, brightly
colored beach shirt, and a pair of boots.

Gorgonzola, she is the head waitress, ignores me.

It gets quiet.

I say, "I'm just here for the coffee, no autographs..."

conversation resumes.

The Thing, just in from an expo in the Antarctic, glowers at me. I
ignore it.

Thats not the Addam's Family Thing, its the other Thing.

Place looks kinda gloomy. Yeah, I see it now that my eyes have
adjusted to the dark. Buncha monsters, all frowning and crying in
their coffee, or what ever it is they are drinking.

A few Christmas decorations. No stockings hung by the fireplace with
care though.

The waitress, you remember her ? Gorgonzola by name, says 'We aint
got no coffee for humans in here ! Buzz off !"

I reply, "I'm not doing anything but relaxing. I'll go in a few
minutes, just wanted a relief from the holidays."

You coulda heard a cricket chirp a trillion miles away.

"What ?"

Gorgonzola got real sad and said, "Honey, Santa don't stop here."

I was dumb founded. I mean, really !

"But uh..."

"No, he don't stop here. You think all of us know we are never
gonna get any presents ? We are the monsters of moviedom."

"damn... Wait, I'll be back in a few minutes."

So, I go back outside, hmm. certainly got cold all of a sudden.

Windy to. Cannot hardly get the flying carpet out of the trunk. I
manage it anyway.

So, how to catch Santa on the one night he is busy ?

Well, I'm not gonna tell ya how. But I manage it. Windy hear abouts
for some reason.

I try to talk to him, but he pointedly looks at me then away and
never looks at me again.

So, I go to a toy store. Buy some gifts, get them wrapped.

I have to make a coupla trips. Carpet wasn't designed to carry that
much.

I bought a Santa hat.

Gave presents out to the monsters.

A small miniature village for a certain giant lizard, an Antarctic
adventure set for the Thing, a tall building toy to a certain big
ape, and so on.

I put up a small tree. Decorated it. Handed out the presents.

It all of a sudden got real quiet in the B-Movie Monster Coffee
Shoppe.

Santa was there watching me.

I handed him a newspaper, pointed to the photos of the damage done
to various places.

And asked, "You see any of these folks in those photos ? I don't."

And I continued handing out gifts.

He left.

But I did notice some gifts I hadn't bought being looked at and
played with by the B-Movie Monsters.

And there was a plate of cookies and milk on the counter, with my
name on it.

I nodded and said, kinda choked up, "thanks."

Gorgonzola smiled. A few of the monsters, well, the ones that could
speak words, said thanks.

I went out to the car. Muse wasn't there. Left me a note. "seems you
didn't need my help after all."

Well, maybe one of her sisters helped me.

I don't have any wonderous words or anything, so I'll just say

"A happy holiday, and a good night !"

[exeunt]

Fascinating. Playing Santa to B-movie monsters. Very original, and I liked the newspaper line especially.

Have an A-List Holiday!

[GeoffC]

living in this life,
it's no fantasy
watching visions in my mind,
those only I can see.
in all the world around,
there are no images
with which to compare,
stranger things are seen
at times other than
….. at halloween.

[kennyc]

Wonderful Geoff!

[Vandy]

@Geoff

Very nice, Geoff. I really enjoyed your approach in this piece and you did a great job of "stringing together" a group of words to form an interesting mind image. I super enjoyed your twist at the end. Great piece!

Regards,