christmas
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On the Third Day of Christmas
Now that we've moved beyond the frenetic shopping, wrapping, baking, partying and family obligations–the general holiday hype–we have the opportunity to truly celebrate Christmas. It only began two days ago, on Sunday, the "First Day of Christmas," as the song… Continue reading
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Christmas Day
At the museum,a pensive Josephgazes down at his infant son,father's soft, brown beardagainst the baby's cheek,their skin impossibly smooth and porcelain fragile. Joseph's brocaded, burgundy robeembraces them both.Thin lines of gold radiate outwardfrom behind their heads,and they are framed by a rectangle… Continue reading
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Advent 17
Late Christmas Eveand, by the light of the tree, I sit in the living room writing.The final CD ends;quiet settles about me like an old wool afghan. So this is actually it–that about which we've endlessly sung–the silent night. I… Continue reading
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My Soul
My soulis a temple in ruins.Where thousands once worshippedonly the common starlings–black against the cracked white marble–pace and peck for seeds. Only a soul in ruinsallows in, without constraint,the sun, rain and wind,the incense of pines,the glow of yellow daffodils,the… Continue reading
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Advent 16
Every Christmasthe angel Gabrielreturns to earthbringing a revelatory visionto another of earth's wanderers.As with Mary,he hopes for brave surrender,for another holy "Yes." What if this Christmashe chooses you?From what fearful depthwill you answer?And how? Text and image © 2011 by Dirk… Continue reading
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Advent 15
I write beside our Christmas tree.Its branches embracenot only the ornaments, lights and memories,but also the mist of old souls,old souls who bring patience,wisdom, hope and comfort. One year,when my soul has ripened,it will earn its placewithin the branches,within the… Continue reading
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Advent 14
Like Scrooge's trinity of ghosts,the Beloved takes my handand flies me skywardamong dark Winter's stars,beyond my sapped vision,beyond this succession of pea-sized moments,beyond my desk of dust and yellowing paper, endless analysis and digitized disorder…and for one brief momentreveals… Continue reading
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Robert Frost Revisited
Two roads divergedwithin the snow-filled woods–and I? I chose the one less traveled–and got stuck. "This," I said aloud,"is your fault, Robert Frost,and I curse you and your poem." Fortunately, I carry a collapsible snow shovelin the trunk of my… Continue reading
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Advent 12
"You're pregnant," says Gabriel,forcing Mary–unsuspecting teenager–to plunge deeper than ever before(we would assume)soulward for some placeto ground this unfathomable annuciation. Today, what say the angels to youthat turns you inwardto drag out unimagined resourceshidden deep in your own battered soul?… Continue reading