the light of love

 

all the brazen copper and magenta trees

have given way.

their song well sung,

nothing is left 

but to lie in wait, open armed 

and surrendering to 

the chilling beauty of crystal slumber. 

somewhere the scent of pinon pine 

escapes from neighboring chimneys, 

whispering warmth into the frozen air. 

slowly we are lifted from the burdens 

of things gone wrong. 

here in this darker season

our hearts, our hopes, 

our love is needed more than ever.

 

hope sits on our window sill  

in a row of squat ball jars.  

mouths teaming with tender slips of summers rosemary. 

here in a covenant with spring, 

we keep watch waiting 

for the first tiny shoots to burst from the woody stems. 

it's comforting to stay tied to the steadfast seasons. 

the wheel that keeps turning, 

forever turning in graceful, 

absolute perfection.

you can taste the colour of expectation

as each new neighbor adds their lights

to the frozen night scape. 

here in this season of collected dreams, 

we walk closer to all that really matters. 

grown children return home. 

boxes of coveted memories are carried down from the attic. 

thoughts travel untold miles to tie us to those we love. 

i hear my fathers voice, 

he is singing with that radiant smile in his unbearably blue eyes

"it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...."

clear as crystal, although he has been gone too many years.

 

and i wonder what is that moment? 

the unabashed hoped for moment 

when we are struck with the spirit of christmas? 

i record it in my heart every year. 

that bright opening to wonder 

when all that holds us like gravity in earthly bodies

falls, falls, falls like pure white snow from above.  

transforming all the undertow of daily requirements 

to a brightness that seemed so immediate on the faces of our youth.

this year that moment arrived on the hoofs of a deer. 

here on this bright blue ball of spinning earth 

grace walked silently into our landscape without a word. 

that's all it took. 

the simple pleasure of the unexpected. 

in that moment, mornings light 

glinted across the slick icy curves of the nearby pond. 

countless wintering ducks circled the still liquid interior. 

shadow and light shimmered golden 

then dark and there, 

perfectly framed by sentinels of pine, a deer!

 

i stood transfixed.... jubilant. 

one simple unabashed moment. 

just as simple as a single star in a black vault night. 

just as satisfying as the childhood stocking of my mother's youth. 

when a single bright orange, 

an apple, crisp with promise, 

a handful of nuts and a few shiny coins were enough. 

 

to everyone....those with us, those far away 

and with cherished memories of those we have lost. 

may we all sit at the table of profound gratitude. 

may we be filled with the wonder of lifes simple pleasures. 

the steadfast turning of the seasons. 

the richness of family and friends. 

may the light of love stir each heart 

to new ways of making a difference in this world we share. 

and may an apple, bright red and crisp with promise 

once again be enough.

 

 

Comments

[Delphyne]

More beautiful writing from you, Rebecca....simply beautiful, very heartfelt.

Have a wonderful Christmas!!

[Pam]

Merry Christmas, Rebecca! I am grateful, so very grateful, that my kids are all home for this day. Beautiful writing, my friend. Love to you!

[Meri @ Meri's Musings]

The profound beauty of your words dazzles me!

[Miss Robyn]

I am away from home for Christmas.. I was sure I would be ok... but as I heard of preparations going on at home... the homesickness for familiarity set in... but I was here in Cornwall for Christmas... a dream of mine... and when I heard 'Oh Holy Night'.. the Christmas spirit found its way into my heart..
[I found and bought two beautiful Mary statues in Den Hague in Holland while we were there]

[Queenie Believe]

Beautiful post, totally warms my heart.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

[Cinda Rae Oliverio]

My father's eyes were not very bright today.I leave with a heavy heart every time I leave him at the nursing home. He smiled though when I gave him his warm fuzzy wuzzy blanket with 2 deers on it! That was one of my moments! Thinking of you dear heart! Another moment was when my granddaughter loved her kitty blanket. Another was my youngest son really appreciating a coat my daughter gave his daughter. SWEET! Those thoughts warm my heart! Merry Christmas!

[judie]

Your words, Rebecca, although beautiful, really reflect what is in your wonderful heart, what is in your spirit. You uplift others without even knowing it. Thank you for bringing moments of sweet memories and gratitude to my own heart. What a soft and gentle soul you are. It shows. xo

[Stephanie]

A deep sigh, at the beauty you create, with your words and your images.

Hope you enjoyed a very Merry Christmas night...raising my glass to you and yours for a Happy and Healthy and inspired New Year!!
x...x

[Caya Papaya]

Such powerful words. This has been such an interesting Christmas. Although deeply connected to Christmases past, I am also keenly aware of the Christmases yet to come- the ones I long for more than anything. Trying hard to stay in the moment and just be in awe of it's beauty, like your deer. Many blessings to you Rebecca:-)

[Deb Taylor]

renders me breathless.
gorgeous glowing love light.
I love you.

[annie]

Dearest Rebecca,

I somehow missed these golden treasures. So glad I did a little browsing and reviewing. Have a peaceful and, more importantly, restful day.

Annie