Poetry Friday - Special Days

       Wow, it is the winter solstice and a full moon, a few days before Christmas. How can we begin to celebrate this wonder of a day? Start by visiting Buffy Silverman for this Poetry Friday and learn of a book out this year that speaks beautifully of our sky! Thanks for hosting, Buffy!



         Happy Holidays to everyone. I'm wishing you all a merry time and a new year filled with beautiful poetry like that in this older anthology I'm sharing today. If you know the names Harry Behn, X.J. Kennedy, Valerie Worth, David McCord, Langston Hughes, Edith Agnew, Norma Farber, Christina Rossetti, Arno Holz, John Ciardi, J. Patrick Lewis, Clement Clarke Moore, Myra Cohn Livingston, and Trina Schart Hyman, you will understand why I'm excited to share some memorable Christmas words with you. Myra Cohn Livingston made the selections and Trina Schart Hyman illustrated this beautiful book. What I'm sharing is only an excerpt of the full text.

discovered at my library book sale

                   by Valerie Worth"Tinsel" 
                      But its whisper
                      When lifted
                       A sifting of
                       Silks and snows.

"Candy Cane"                        Hot wintry 
                       Mint, striped
                       Round with
                       Fire and snow,

                  by David McCord
"Come Christmas"
             All stars are hung so every Christmas tree
             has one above it. Let's go out and see.

                 by Langston Hughes
"Carol of The Brown King"
             Three Wise Men,
             One dark like me–
             Part of His
             Nativity.

                  by Norma Farber
"Come Learn of Mary"
             Who can't rejoice
             come learn of me
             that hold a baby
             on my knee,
             and keep him safe
             for what's to be.
             
                 by John Ciardi
"Christmas in Key West" - the ending
             Or we splash in the pool and we shout "Ho-ho-ho!
             Now isn't this better than shoveling snow!"
              
               by Clement Clarke Moore
"A Visit From St. Nicholas"
                 But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
                  "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.!"

              from St. Luke, 2:8-14
                    And this shall be a sign to you; Ye shall find the
                              babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in
                              a manger.

          And one beautiful double-page spread with an old song I grew up singing and a wonderful poem about giving!

        If only my mail didn't arrive so very late! I just received my poetry swap from Erin Mauger, from Australia! Thank you, Erin, for the lovely poem and gifts. I'll share on my next Poetry Friday!