Paul Christensen: The Leaden Hat of Fall
Once in a while the tufted sky would break open into dazzling radiance. I would often look up from my reading to behold a waterfall of fiery light, as if the Golden Fleece were hanging in a waterfall shedding all its precious minerals into the valley below.
Paul Christensen: Apocalypse Soon
We are outnumbered by countless other creatures, dwarfed by the complex imperial government of birds, by the subterranean empires of worms and grubs albino larva, moles, gophers, beetles with vast pincer jaws, by nomadic tribes of aphids and cutworms, by thread-like parasites that feast on my annabels in mid-summer, and of course, by the king of blood bandits, the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spawns in our lowland catchments and marshland.
BJ Ward: Christmas Eve
Along the cold streets, my townsfolk ignite
their faith. Each states that heaven’s gate’s a star
brighter than its neighbors. I’m in a car
with a coughing carburetor. Big night
for our Lord.
Linda Parsons: Visitations
Everything seems to glow richer before first frost, a last hurrah before the ghostly breath passes over.
S. Brent Rodriguez-Plate: Here’s why Christmas movies are so appealing this holiday season
Holiday movies are popular not simply because they are “escapes.” Rather, these films offer viewers a glimpse into the world as it could be.
Christina Rossetti: In the bleak midwinter
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Angele Ellis: Wonderful Life
We are halfway between Bedford and Pottersville:
the kindness of community, the chill greed of despair.
Deborah Bogen: Season of Light — and of Darkness
If you happen to meet someone for whom the season of light is a reminder of a dark time, of a sorrow or a loneliness, take a moment and sit with them, let them be that dark. Believe in their sorrow as you believe also in joy. Believe in them.
Arlene Weiner: Catering the Office Party
Some couldn’t eat ham and some wouldn’t eat lamb;
some couldn’t eat sugar, some couldn’t eat seeds.
So what could I order for our office feast?
And how could I cater for everyone’s needs?
Doug Anderson: Christmas
When I was a child and miserable and love stopped at every house but mine I’d go to sleep wishing for an angel, that she’d emanate from the dark and … Continue reading
Adrie Kusserow: Jesus, Immaculee and the Pig
Essex, Vermont This is where Jesus dumped Immaculee before wandering off to tend another flock of clouds, down in the psych ward, clutching her bible and scattered papers, preaching to … Continue reading
Patricia A. Nugent: Why Some Jews “Do” Christmas and Some Christians Don’t Follow Their Messiah
My Jewish friends send Christmas cards. They decorate Christmas trees and exchange gifts. They bake Christmas cookies. They even attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. When asked why, their … Continue reading
Vox Populi 