Open Link Night #23
Welcome all, to our twenty-third Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub; hedgewitch (Joy Ann Jones) here, holding the door open so you can get in with all those shopping bags, or just sink into a comfortable chair by the fire with a sigh of relief.
Whether your poetry wassail of choice equates to mulled cider, espresso, hot cocoa, or something stronger, whether you’ve been pub crawling with us from day one, or whether you are just now stumbling in the door for the first time looking for some Christmas cheer, we’re glad to see you and ready to offer some holiday poetry punch to all tonight.
I’ve been joking with one of the esteemed proprietors of this joint, Brian Miller, about this particular week falling to my lot to host. It’s not at all that I don’t enjoy reading, talking and schmoozing with the crowd, just that I am one of the least Christmas-y types on earth. I admit to having the Christmas spirit of Scrooge (at the beginning of the tale) and the holiday festivity of your average rock. So bear with me if my jolliness is more focused on the joy and friendship we share as a community than the holly and mistletoe that too often turns out to be plastic.
In that spirit of Christmas as less than ideal, which unfortunately for many is only too sadly true, I’ve looked for a few of what I’ll call alternative Christmas poems, and found some to share. The first is a light little two-liner from Anglo-French writer and collaborator of G K Chesterton, Hillaire Belloc:
Lines For A Christmas Card
May all my enemies go to hell,
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
by Hilaire Belloc
The great Victorian Realist poet and novelist, Thomas Hardy, sets his trademark somber elegiac seal on this Christmas Ghost Story that is all too appropriate today, as many veterans return from war leaving behind those who never will. (For the young amongst us, the ‘Anno Domini” here refers to the practice of tacking that Latin phrase, meaning ‘Year of Our Lord,’ onto dates, which is no longer much followed):
A Christmas Ghost Story
South of the Line, inland from far Durban,
A mouldering soldier lies–your countryman.
Awry and doubled up are his gray bones,
And on the breeze his puzzled phantom moans
Nightly to clear Canopus: “I would know
By whom and when the All-Earth-gladdening Law
Of Peace, brought in by that Man Crucified,
Was ruled to be inept, and set aside?
And what of logic or of truth appears
In tacking ‘Anno Domini’ to the years?
Near twenty-hundred livened thus have hied,
But tarries yet the Cause for which He died.”
by Thomas Hardy
Finally I’ll close with a modern American poet, James Wright, and his harrowing contemporary poem on the darker side of Christmas:
Having Lost My Sons, I Confront The Wreckage Of The
Moon: Christmas, 1960
After dark
Near the South Dakota border,
The moon is out hunting, everywhere,
Delivering fire,
And walking down hallways
Of a diamond.
Behind a tree,
It lights on the ruins
Of a white city
Frost, frost.
Where are they gone
Who lived there?
Bundled away under wings
And dark faces.
I am sick
Of it, and I go on
Living, alone, alone,
Past the charred silos, past the hidden graves
Of Chippewas and Norwegians.
This cold winter
Moon spills the inhuman fire
Of jewels
Into my hands.
Dead riches, dead hands, the moon
Darkens,
And I am lost in the beautiful white ruins
Of America.
by James Wright
I hope all of us meeting here tonight in the spirit of poetry and community, whether blessed with great joy or struggling in life’s hard times, will get something beyond a bigger credit card balance from this Christmas, and perhaps get closer to the core of the season’s message of peace and goodwill from this opportunity to give the gift of sharing your work and craft with those who appreciate and enjoy it most, other poets. Let’s all remember those less fortunate, and those we love tonight, and have ourselves, as the song says, a Merry little Christmas, in our own hearts.
If you’re new to the pub, welcome, and here’s the drill:
- Post a poem on any topic to your blog,
- Link in the poem you’d like to share (1 per blog, please) by clicking on the Mr.Linky button just below.
- This opens a new screen where you’ll enter your information, and where you also choose links to read. Once you have pasted your poem’s blog url and entered your name, simply click submit.
- Don’t forget to let your readers know where you’re linking up and encourage them to participate by including a link to dVerse in your blog post.
- Visit as many other poems as you like, commenting as you see fit.
- Remember, we’re here for each other. Engage your fellow poets, talk, chat, comment, let them know their work is being read, and enjoy the input you also will receive. Feel free to tweet and share on the social media of your choice.
- Finally, enjoy–and be sure to have yourself a merry and/or twisted little Christmas!
Adam White (@AdamWhitePoet) said:
Happy open link night everyone. Have a good time.
hedgewitch said:
Good to see you, Adam.
rob kistner said:
the tender side of seasonal suicide…
Daydreamertoo said:
Wooo hoo.. early for a change. (Drinks are on me) Love this virtual pub. 😉
Have a great night. Merry Christmas everyone!
brian said:
woohoo…thanks for running the tab…smiles. merry christmas!
Laurie Kolp said:
Thank you!
mrsmediocrity said:
happy holidays open link night!
brian miller said:
see here is what i love about this hedge…christmas means many things to everyone and all different meanings…for some it is a hard time…for some it is religeous…for others gifts…and over all i think in that we can find some understanding of each other…
that noel noel noel poem is awesome…lol
hedgewitch said:
Thanks, boss. There *are* a few redeeming qualities to the season, I guess. ;_) I will keep my bah humbugs down to a low murmur, promise.
brian said:
like throwing snow balls…
(SPLAT!)
hehe runs off to hide….
tashtoo said:
For the first Christmas in a while its cash cause I can and not cause I have too! lol Great intro Joy…but I’m afraid I am addicted to bright shiny things, so the time of year works well for me ~ unless it involves a mall, as previously stated 😉 You should see my Griswold tree! Chevy Chase would be proud of me! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!!!
hedgewitch said:
Laughin at the Griswold Tree. I’m sure you’ve crafted a complete and total refuge from the mall at your place, Tash. I’ll be by to sample some punch in a minute.
brian said:
tash has punch?
is there a squirrel in the tree?
Louise said:
Happy Open Link Night…thank you, Joy! 🙂
hedgewitch said:
My pleasure, completely.
Steve King said:
I hope the spirit of the season (whatever that spirit may be…) brings happiness to all, especially those bellying up tonight.
hedgewitch said:
Thanks Steve. Merry Christmas to you, my friend.
brian said:
back at you steve….
hedgewitch said:
Welcome all, glad you could make it, and let the poetry roll on like the mighty rivers and stuff. I’ve got my apron on, and I’m ready to work all these mysterious gears and levers so everyone has some refreshment. Watch out for that mistletoe hanging from the chandelier by the Ladies Room, and don’t eat the holly berries.
~L said:
It’s been so long since I have stopped by 😦 I have been through a slump and just started writing again a few weeks ago. Thanks for this site and the time you all put into it!
brian said:
always great to see friends return to the pub…glad you grabbed the pen again….
Madeleine Begun Kane said:
Great job, as always! Thanks as always for hosting this! Here’s my latest limerick and Limerick-Off challenge: Planning To Back Limericks.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I so agree with Brian, that it all depends on our point of view, and so many stories come together in this pub and that’s excellent. I loved your post and especially the first poem. Although the last one resonate, having spent the week before Christmas in ND the year my father-in-law died. Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate to everyone.
Adrian Giannini said:
Morning from Oz… neeeeeeeed coffee, hope all have a great Xmas n New Year or watever you all do…..
Aidz
Ruth said:
Hi Joy, thank you for welcoming all and sundry here, no matter what our beliefs or feelings about Christmas. And thanks for posting that James Wright poem – a bit up my alley, he…
hedgewitch said:
My pleasure, Ruth.
ladynyo said:
Oh, Hedge…..Hardy and Wright write heartbreakingly.
I am so glad to be amongst poets for I have found family and home here at dversepoets. And yes we are!
I look towards the fast-darkening nights and the hoar-frosted mornings, when Winter gives us leave to s-l-o-w down and the silence of the season brings upon us an appreciation of cycle and stillness, a chance to gather our energies and a chance to feel our bones.
I offer “Samhain, a Celtic Winter Song” this week.
Happy Holidays to everyone! Some very warm sake would be very appreciated. Just stick an iron poker from the fire in the jug and I will be satisfied.
Lady Nyo
hedgewitch said:
Good to see you Jane, and I echo that feeling for the still fallow days after the hectic season of emotion. and hey–I’ll even wipe the poker off before i warm your drink. ;_) I’ll be by in a bit to see what you’ve done with Samhain, a favorite theme for me.
brian said:
happy holidays jane! an iron poker from the fire in the jug…nice…haha
ManicDdaily said:
Hi Hedge! I have not felt the least drop of Christmas yet–thankfully my family understands. I don’t know what’s wrong–when decorations go up November 1st, it’s hard to be excited December 20. Shouldn’t quite say that, as I am very excited about the music of christmas and really looking forward to hearing and singing some.
The point being—I loved your post–especially the James Wright, though I personally am putting up something extremely unChristmasy. I know I will get into the mood but it may not hit me until Boxing Day or so.
K.
hedgewitch said:
Know what you mean Karin–usually even I can scrounge up a little more cheer by this point, but I know on the night it will all be alright. And whatever you’re putting up, it can’t be any less Christmasy than mine. 😉 Be by soon.
petemarshall1 said:
its good to drop by once in a while and buy a round for my good friends…..last week brian, claudia, & gay, joined adam dustus, shan ellis & myself in a publication, In the Presence of Poets…this is something we are all proud of….
have a great evening guys and take care…pete
brian said:
woot pete marshall in the house…was def great to partner with the old team on the new book…
Joseph Harker said:
While on the subject of crabby winter poetry, there’s always Ezra Pound’s Ancient Music…
I dropped one in the links bucket that doesn’t have anything particular to do with the holiday season. Those pieces won’t materialize until the night before, when the job takes a pause and I can actually think about it. 😛
1emeraldcity said:
A toast with my mug of wassail…to all of us and our loved ones… may the days be merry, the night joyous, our years long….Cheers!
skyraftwanderer said:
Just asking for a point of clarification:
If I post one link, yet the post is made up of multiple poems, does that count or not?
Just asking is all.
skyraftwanderer said:
Well, I went for it anyway.
I humbly apologize if the link breaks the rules.
brian said:
ah you are good…we just want to give everyone a chance and not have people loading in multiple posts…multiple poems in one is fine…smiles.
skyraftwanderer said:
Many thank yous for the reply. And the kind comment you left on my blog.
zongrik said:
put up a sonnet about art, so Luke can trash the meter
hedgewitch said:
Thank you for thinking of others this Christmastime.
fireblossom32 said:
*snort!*
brian said:
shay you stole my line….
and zongrik i wrote a space poem for you….
Luke Prater said:
haha @Zongrik… I ain’t trashin’
Shashi (@VerseEveryDay) said:
As I am travelling to North India and was between the flights, I could actually fit in to write as well as post a little earlier… good to be here between 2 digits…. 😉
It will be a pleasure to know your thoughts about my verse that I have had written on the margins of the book that I was reading on the flight in 10 minutes….
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/12/whispers-earth-wings-and-haiku-love.html
At Twitter @VerseEveryDay
hedgewitch said:
Welcome Shashi–hope you have a safe and pleasant journey, and thanks for joining us.
Bodhirose said:
Really enjoyed those alternative poems, Joy–I can relate. I wrote one myself yesterday to try and put things into perspective. Thanks for your welcoming write.
Gayle
hedgewitch said:
You’re very welcome. Glad if it worked for you. Will be by to see what you wrote shortly.
Joanne Elliott (@soulsprite) said:
Here’s to a wonderful round of poetic musings!
Hedge, thank you for sharing those poems. There are many reasons and meanings in the season. I enjoy family, but not the rush. I like winter and the going within. I could hibernate for most of the season really.
Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Wonderful Winter Solstice everyone!
hedgewitch said:
Thanks Joanne. Really enjoyed Charles’ poem on you tube–one of his most vivid. Be by to see yours in a bit.
Shawna said:
I’ve hit that “hibernation” stage of being a writer. I’m hiding out under the blankets and in my pajamas. Totally depressed. Don’t want to do a thing. But I’m pressing the few keys it takes to link up a poem (even if it’s a few days old). This is actually a new blog, on which I’ve only posted twice. Hopefully I’ll get a better response than via Magpie Tales. Otherwise, I’ll know for sure the poem sucks and perhaps I need to take a break from writing.
Do you ever notice that some of your favorite poets disappear for days/weeks/months? Is there anyone here who *doesn’t* suffer from cyclical depression? 🙂
claudia said:
happy OLN everyone.. and thanks for hosting hedge – just coming home from a business dinner and sinking into a comfortable chair by the fire sounds just great…do you serve some eggnog with your alternative christmas poems as well..? smiles… on the trail now..
hedgewitch said:
Of course, Claudia. I have some full of cinnamon and nutmeg and no toad’s feet or anything, right over here….kick off those heels and relax, girl.
claudia said:
what.. no toad’s feet..now i’m a wee bit disappointed..smiles
coalblack said:
talk about grinchy…farblossom wouldn’t even come into the pub with me, but i am here with a nice poem about death and havin to go to work and stuff. whee…
man, dee snider makes a sorta scary santa!
hedgewitch said:
it’s okay–we know how she gets. Plus she’s still exhausted from the One Thousandth post at Word garden
re: dee–I think that was the point.
hedgewitch said:
Joel Clackum, if you are reading the comments I enjoyed your poem, but was unable to comment on your site–connectivity issues, apparently.
hobgoblin2011 said:
Hedge, thanks for hosting tonight. Some great reads as usual. Thanks for taking the time to host. We appreciate it:)
hedgewitch said:
You’re welcome Fred–I’m headed your way here in a bit.
Luke Prater said:
Whew…. blog has been offline all day.. finally back up… glad to be here, y’all
hedgewitch said:
Welcome, Luke. Happy hols.
brian said:
hey luke, zongrik wrote something for you….
Luke Prater said:
yes… I saw that.. 🙂
Rhyme Me a Smile said:
Please, please, PLEASE let me know if you are able to make these hedgehogs sing and which choices you chose so I can rid myself of my bah-humbuggedness. 🙂
Happy pub night! Merry holidays. 🙂
Zouxzoux said:
My first time contributing here but I see lots of familiar names. The poem I’m linking to was actually born as a short story but, poetry being my first language, I decided to change the structure. This is part 1 of I’m not sure how many more. I hope y’all will let me know what you think. Looking forward to reading your work over the next few days.
Sharp Little Pencil said:
Merry Open Mike to all, and to all a good read (or 28)!
Amy Barlow Liberatore
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/the-door-to-deceitful-delights-dverse/
brian said:
haha or 102 at this point…smiles….
Zouxzoux said:
Hedgewitch, I love your alternative holiday poetry and I’m glad I’m not the only scroogey poet here since this is my first contribution! I see lots of familiar names here and I’m happy to have found the pub. My poem started out in life as a short story but, since poetry is my first language, I’ve changed the structure. This is part 1. I hope y’all will give me your opinions and I can’t wait to visit as many of you as I can in the next few days.
( I hope this comment only posts once since this is my 3rd try. Oy.)
brian said:
sorry… i caught you….first time posters have to be approved…glad you joined us!
hedgewitch said:
Glad to see you joining us. I had an early night last night but I’m off for round two this morning–and I admire those who can write stories and prose, but poetry is my beverage of choice here at the pub, so thanks for pouring.
Misfit said:
Good Evening! Great to be here again. I always love sharing words with my fellow wordophiles. Hope you enjoy! (I know I will)
Karen Maeby said:
Another one! Happy Holidays everyone. 🙂
Charles Elliott/Beautyseer said:
Have yourself a merry little Xmas, Hedge! And recall this was once the festival that celebrated the birth of Horus, son of the goddess Isis, and a lightbearer destined to end the dark misrule of his uncle Set in ancient Egypt!
Here in the pub I’ll be in my usual corner, sitting under the misteltoe all evening, ever the puckered optimist.
And listening to carols punctuated by the bells that signify the unanswered phonecalls from creditors who have yet to learn the fine art of living more simply. ‘Tis the season to be Charley, ya know! And axial tilt is the reason for the season…
brian said:
haha charles you are awesome man…how are you healing up?
hedgewitch said:
You’ll note I have a nod to Thoth and Ma’at in my own offering tonight, but had not made the cross connection with Horus and Christmas. I really enjoyed your poem on the toys of your childhood–I do think they are a clue to who we are and who we become. Good luck under the mistletoe for a congenial and comradely sort of salutation from all of your fellow poets here.
beckykilsby said:
Peace to all my poet friends.. thanks for all your visits this year.. a toast to something more.. x
Joanne Sprott said:
Great commentary and perspectives on this very multi-faceted space-time in the calendar. For me, simplicity, multi-cultural stories, digging into the roots of all traditions, getting down to the cycle of dark-to-light-to-dark = life. Thanks, Joy, for the sample poets. Very moving stuff in the darkness of life. I am, however, ultimately a believer in eternal cycles, and an optimist. I am reprising my Winter Solstice-themed lyric from last year, so if you saw it then, you’re welcome to either be reminded or check out other verses. I will take my tour tonight and tomorrow and see what all have wrought. Especially intrigued by Lady Nyo’s contribution…
brian said:
ah and its a good one…as was yours ma’am
brian said:
alright peeps…going to bed…check you in the morning…
Ginny Brannan said:
What a wonderful choice of reading in your introduction, Hedgewitch. Great intro for someone who isn’t too “Christmasy”!!
The past couple of weeks have been crazy busy for me, not just with holiday prep, but running to doctors & hospital for husband who had microsurgery on back and is home now for the next 4-6 weeks recuperating. Not much quiet time for writing, so am sharing a wintery piece written last year.
Wishing joy and peace this holiday season to the d’Verse staff and all the terrific writers who share their work each week!!
Cheers!
hedgewitch said:
Thanks for making the time to share with us, Ginny, and best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery. Glad you enjoyed the intro, and though I am not Christmasy, I second your wish for peace and joy to all this season.
libraryscene said:
You crack me up, Joy! I am just skimming your post (shall have to re-read tomorrow when I feel better). I saw that you were hosting, and knowing you are not a huge Christmas person, I decided to stick with a more somber write (tis my way anyway, right?). Anyhoo, shall make rounds tomorrow night after I punch my time. Thanks for hosting; cheers ~
hedgewitch said:
Hey–I did my best. ;_) Look forward to seeing what you’ve got for us, Angela. Surprisingly, I also went for the dark side. I know–you’re shocked. Shocked!
Brendan said:
Wonderfully nuanced introduction to this challenge, Hedge — a brimming horn of reindeer blood for me, please, no, make that a blue dolphin, you know, glacier melt … I loved the Wright poem — so harrowing — and when you consider that his son Franz as a poet may actually eclipse the harrowing bone-moonlight of his father’s aura, a poisonous, delirious, inspiring influence. (Father James was an awful drunk for years though he settled down later in life, dying of cancer of the tongue — truly a poet’s death). They are the only father-son duo to both win the Pulitzer for poetry. So who knows what our offspring will ferry into the future, for better or verse … My contribution to the pub this time is a solstice hymn to my father and the deep deep deep fathers behind him, a spirit I believe echoes all the way back to the stone cold of a now drowned Paleolithic cave. Anyway, happy solstice and survivable Christmas to you … Brendan
hedgewitch said:
On Wright’s death-that is indeed about as clear a case of irony from the muses as one could get. Thanks for the biographical information…I was struck by several of the images in that poem, and to me the last phrase “the white ruins of America” was like a tolling bell. I am fresh out of reindeer blood (hey, this is thirsty work) but your blue dolphin afloat in icemelt, in of course, a cut crystal grail will be right up. Thanks for joining us with your father’s solstice saga.
dani said:
i love this post, Joy! especially ~
“Lines For A Christmas Card
May all my enemies go to hell,
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
by Hilaire Belloc”
and the Twisted Sister music video
and i will have a merrily twisted Christmas, thank you.
wishing you a day that you will enjoy!
it’s 4am so i have to return to go visiting everyone, but i promise i will.
happy holidays, one and all! ♥
hedgewitch said:
Glad you were rockin to the Sister, sista. On the shopping–better you than me. See you soon, and happy holidays.
hedgewitch said:
Thanks to everyone who has linked with us in this very busy time—glad you all came to gather at the pub for a few refreshing minutes of poetry and celebration, and hope to see you all again next time. I had an early night last night, but I’m back for round two, and to any just arriving poets reading, there’s still plenty of time to post your own efforts, as the link-in is live till midnight tonight. Happy Holidays to all!
Voyages Vistas Vino said:
Sorry, I’m late. Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! and in a few hours more…Happy Winter Solstice for Druids far and wide.
Cheers,
Mark Butkus
~L said:
Ok!!! so wow! I have read 62 poems so far… I want to keep reading… but I am neglecting my house;) I keep thinking I am missing out on another great poem:) I suppose I will chisel away as the week goes by! 🙂
Valerie said:
So far, my favorite: http://metanoeticpoetics.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-1999.html
hedgewitch said:
One of mine, too. An excellent poem.
joshuA (@expoetics) said:
Thanks for hosting hedgewitch!
Also, thanks for the Hilaire Belloc poem. Made my day 😉
Went on a bit of a haiku bender this week
♥
-joshuA
hedgewitch said:
Your welcome, glad you enjoyed. Haiku? gesundheit. ;_)
abmaude said:
Stumbled in here for the first time – late for the party as usual for me – then hung around quietly hoping not to get noticed – again usual for me.
Still very new to writing poetry – after a 30 year hiatus!
PLease encourage me if it’s any good – and tell me if it’s not.
hedgewitch said:
Thanks again to all for a most festive Open Link Night at the pub, and may everyone have a wonderful time enjoying their holiday of choice, and the fellowship of poetry as 2011 fades off into the distance and a new and hopefully better, brighter year begins.