Poetic Gifts

 Hello to my poetry friends. What a lovely gift arrived this week!

This is my first time to join the poetry swap within our community, and this week, just on schedule, I received a package of several gifts from the talented Margaret Simon. 

First is a poem written just for me...a lovely and thought provoking ekphrastic poem:

We are Lucent

lighting branches

of winter trees,

wicks lit in a circle

wreath centered on our shared table

counting days to solstice

soul-searching time.

We open our hearts

to whatever comes;

be it grace or grief,

we are ready.

We love what we love

licking our fingers

after stirring in butter.

We offer our gifts at a table

or under a tree

while we seek

those silent gifts

sent on swaying

winter trees.

by Margaret Simon for Karen Eastlund

Winter Poetry Swap 2021

This poem has special meaning for me as we have been burning candles daily in our home, a new practice instituted by my husband. I find that the glowing candles and the flickering flames offer a sense of hope and well-being beyond my expectations. We even made our own candle from leftover wax, and I found some waxed twine that suffices as a wick. We are lucent!!! I especially love the image of "licking our fingers after stirring in butter."

I also received a lovely book of art by Margaret's father... his pointillist images fascinate me...accompanied by poems by Margaret. An enclosed CD provides carols and Margaret's  reading of her poems. She speaks of her love for her father and his work as well as the season and gift of faith. What treasures!

Many thanks to Margaret for my very own glowing poem, and for the lovely book and CD. I will continue to enjoy them in the days ahead.

This time of year is a time of soul searching, of counting days. May your soul be well fed and your days rich with blessings. 

It is Poetry Friday! Join the group at Jone Rush Macculloch's where solstice greetings will abound. You are invited to join the fun.

Good Gifts

Dear Friends:

Although the 12 Days of Christmas have just ended, still each day comes to us as a gift. 

Ornament carved by my brother, Paul Evenson, as he learned to carve acanthus leaves.

Scripture tells us that  "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above." James 1:17  And although today comes with heavy weight attached to it, still I receive it with open hands. I feel subdued and confused, in need of quiet time...but still able to turn to God. I am thankful for those gifts.

Heart with quilt design from my sister-in-law, Cheryl

I often read The Writer's Almanac, and there I noticed this quote on Christmas and kept it for consideration. It speaks to me today...

The novelist Oren Arnold (books by this author) had the following Christmas gift suggestions: "To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."

All of the above are good gifts, and like today, they all challenge me. May they challenge you also.

Some of my favorite music to lighten the day:

I wish you good gifts.  -Karen