'
'Tis the Season
Laughter and wine
Needles and balls
Velvet skirts
And cat’s jumping paws
Sugar plum visions
Holy night’s peace
Clatters arising
And Santa Claus
Pewter goblets
And yuletide logs
clashing sweaters
and rummy nog
Warming fires
Stockings overhung
Roasting chestnuts
And yuletide logs
The house is trimmed
Lit in gold and blue
The snowman smiles
In crispy air
The banks are carved
With mini-caves
And making mountains
In climbing dare
the glare is bright
Of pure white
As the early sun
Casts a glow divine
And as the day lingers
The sparkles change
To dancing shadows
And moonlight so fine
flickering candles
Cast a frosty glimmer
A flickering welcome
To a caroling throng
the chorus rings
A note of goodwill
So joyful and triumphant
In harmonic song
And then there comes
A time for rest
Dreams of magic
And reindeers in flight
But it’s not just a day
Or week of love
But a spirit of family
And our friend’s delight
DeaBeePea 12-7-18
The Olde Time Christmas Tree
I recall those early tress
seeming much larger than life
with the majesty of the innocent angel
peering over us with grace
The full and long-needled Scots
Wide and happily round
a posture with a peculiar crick
Defining its transplanted face
It took many patient tries
To have it stand straight and proud
As it twisted and turned
Till its summit was duly raised
The lights of course, were first
Evolving from their tangled web
To a winding red and green delight
That shone through the comb-like maze
Balls of silver, red and gold
Like a constant candied carnival
And little wooden soldiers
Falling thin and straight in reverent salute
And those lights so deftly placed
Far inside, echoing a nightly glow
Making for a little village
Between each branch and shoot
the garland that spun and glittered
dressing the tree in song
wrapped the vision like the sun
a blanket of warming gold
the family debated this decorative course
too full or empty we asked
but we used up every ornament
it was sight to behold!
Like a vine of grapes
This holy monument of hanging baubles
waited for the flying paw
in cat’s delightful play
the icicles are dropped
not until the very end
some in clumps like castles
others, a meagre drop to stay
little Santas and dancing deer
and hand-made mangers so minute
new trinkets added each and every year
adding to my awful bliss
but the ones that were forever
were my favourite adornments to hang
one with a broken nose
another with fingers amiss
and on that fluffy skirt of red
sat the paper and bows
hiding the mystery
until Christmas morn was closed
the needles slowly fell
and boxes packed away
but the branches touched our memories
with our peaceful dreams enclosed
DeaBeePea 12-10-18
SNOW
The town was hidden
Withdrawing into an earthly pause
As the whirls of snow
Boasted of their magic blanket of gauze
The branches that were still bare
Looked out over the hills
And saw a stranger upon us
Of silhouette, yet no voice
There appeared before our quiet eyes
A message of innocence
We fared no fashion of exhibition
But humbled awe we cloaked
The sounds we heard
Were from our illusions
And our warming hearts
In miracles, we rejoiced
One of us broke the silence
Asking who he was
He looked up, buttoning his coat
“I am what is gone” he spoke
He stood erect and stern
And the lesson was sensed
A hope to bury our selfishness
And disregard for this saintly gnome
“The only thing I will give
Is some of my trees
My woods with my balsams
And needles so sharp and spry”
We gathered as good people
with axes and strong hands
and dragged our prizes home
to stand within our home
the air was filled with song
words of wisdom's season
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
The skirts we made
To gather what falls
A continuance of the cover
That buried what we knew
But now the stars were bright
And we knew what was real
It was the infinite wind
Passing through our souls, it blew
Then the gifts were born
And we shook our heads, amazed
Knowing this plenty was not of need
But a thank you for Father Christmas’ deed
DeaBeePea 12-11-18
Holiday Season
shopping, well,
maybe not today
how about the internet
the Indigo way
listening to music
the same old songs
White Christmas
and carolling bongs
tired of this by December one
we've heard a lot already
why does it start so early
it's like having a steady
racing around in a circle
people so dizzy
making poorly timed appointments
and then in a tizzy
worrying about weather
guess what my friends?
it's winter after all
that's where the analysis ends
and those hallmark movies
if you've seen one
you've seen em all
I am TOTALLY done
there is wine and goodies
yep, that's pretty cool
and lots of silliness
the M-O of the yule
family and friends
and a few strangers too
brief encounters
of a tantalizing brew
Christmas cards
just wait till you get
then send really fast
obligations met!
don't cook a bird
be a person of fashion
Tofurkey vegetarian roast
to create my dispassion
I'm writing this now
on the 13th of Dec.
many parties ahead
I will probably be a wreck
then ready for New Years
a sequel of yawn
my cup would runneth over
but all my booze might be gone
DeaBeePea 12-13-18
My Gift
as the day becomes
I laugh at myself
my lack of wealth
and modest esteem
but I feel an obligation
to cast my shadow
with a sepia silhouette
like a past-Christmas dream
my heart is alive
and I feel empowered
to cast a spell
in an unrehearsed wave
it will not change the world
but it might create smiles
and give a little hope
to the loneliest slave
held back by fear
and fatigued by stress
not knowing the path
to glory and peace
I send a little love
and a whimsical grin
praying for your right
to the angels akin
the gift is understanding
a heartfelt dedication
to knowing the pain
and sharing the joy
we are all one
breathing infinite fumes
I won't let go of your hand
we are each others hoy
my message is simple
just a little pause
thinking of my neighbour
and his yuletide prayer
maybe not realized
not a thing is needed
but trustful belief
in Bethlehem's flare
so I am thinking of you
in my silly way
but yes, it is sincere
as it disperses and parts
the experience is Divine
and I ask you to share it
and you will be blessed
with the warmest of hearts
DeaBeePea 12-13-18
The Sign of the Christmas Tree
Casting its greenish light
Generous branches seeking
Gathering guests in whisper
Quieted by its gentle voice
Those from the north
The south and east and west
Throngs of wayward folks
All in peculiar voyages of choice
Lodging at The Sign of the Christmas Tree
That seems to simplify
Their curious wiles
Mysterious nods, and becks, and smiles;
The secrets finding a meandering space
Between the mouths and ears so placed
Smothered laughs and fast-closed doors;
The tinkle of bells and playful guile
Lips ridden with single fingers
And heads turning in sneaky caution
The future and memories collide
In this ancient place of knights
There is a bustling
An undeclared excited angst
Amidst the flare of scarlet berries
And silvery streaks of garland light
The dreams are like clouds
Appearing to move
But still in the circling room
As sugar plums and fairies dance
A tall old man, so proudly moustached
And glamourous lady, of beaded splash
And little girls, somewhat alike
Wide beaming smiles, that seem to prance
A red-haired lad with big blue eyes
Cowlicked in naughtiness
And a baby fast asleep
Mangered in loving arms
Many offering an ornament
Or verse of caring thought
Dangling balls so red
Or bells without alarm
The blanket below gathers gifts
In a way of dignified suspense
The giving and the receiving
Undefined in its notion’s plee
Then, from the riches, where need is seen
Fill up the lives that are bare and lean.
As the command is heard for open ears
Called down on The Sign of the Christmas Tree.
DeaBeePea 17-12-18
It's fun to see if I can write a 12-verse poem in three minutes. This is what I came up with.
Hurry Poem
sometimes in a hurry
but I must write a poem
without it i'm empty
without my home
I know its crazy
but that's the way it is
once you're a writer
it puts you in a dizz
it clears my mind
and opens my heart
making me laugh
and cry in part
it's a hello to myself
and a wake-up call
announcing my consciousness
down my winding hall
going places
I normally don't go
it's all in the mind
but it has quite a glow
making an imprint
on my tenuous soul
making it alive
my emotions to dole
I'm half-way through
and my mind is still spinning
so it looks like I'll finish
from the very beginning
there is no end
not like the movies
when those two words are presented
where I get the woozies
this verse is silly
it's not going anywhere
but at least I'm rhyming
on a loquacious tear
I'm looking forward
to tonight and tomorrow
so many gathering
and very little sorrow
I pray for those
who are not so happy
and lacking the joy
that impels the snappy
all we can hope for
is goodwill and peace
and be kind to one another
in loving caprice
DeaBeePea 12-21-18
Santa
will he come?
just in case he doesn't
I have bought myself
everything I want
now I have a lot
of things
but Santa, if you do come
I would like one more bottle to flaunt
DeaBeePea 12-21-18
The Day Before Christmas
yes, it's tomorrow
expectations arise
but a mysterious silence
within me cries
what is this hesitation
or is it a stall?
or just a presence
as awareness calls
the child-like naivete
is almost gone
and in my surmise
a new joy has dawned
a simpler way
to journey through
a season called yule
that I once knew
Santa and reindeer
elves and Carols
decorating the tree
with gay apparel
it's all so grand
but underneath
is the truest message
for a human sheath
peace and goodwill
are only words
but said enough
they fly like birds
an honest heart
and honest prayer
taking the time
for loving care
the gathering of hearts
and open minds
held together with faith
that understanding finds
enjoying the quiet
and pensive times
not looking for a blare
of Christmas chimes
sipping the wine
as a nectar of solace
tickling our smile
of love so flawless
there is no mission
or uncontrollable hurrah
just a warming glow
of unassuming awe
DeaBee Pea 12-24-18
What Works for Me
Rhyming verses
Of unprofound thought
Skimming my head
That imagination brought
Self-effacing
And teasing of others
But sent with love
To all my brothers
A very close lens
That splits my head
So freedom flies
Like a chimney bound sled
Reflecting my day
an unconscious wind
saying hello to me
my honesty pinned
forcing so gentle
emotions wavering breath
talking through sadness
and its celebrating death
never denying
reality or truth
feeding the blood
of memories youth
poetry is life
as each line has an end
but it keeps on with its wisdom
an unknowing blend
ideas and dreams
juxtaposed into one
fumbling through night
and greeting the sun
some in satire
others in thanks
walking me over
those treacherous banks
but there arises courage
in a most modest form
not proud but enlightening
in my mindful dorm
this creative twist
is such a joyous path
cleansing my soul
like a hotsprings bath
a morning ritual
bringing a smile and lust
for a simple life
and its friendly trust
DeaBeePea 12-24-18
Sought
I sought a theme
Searching in head-scratching vain
Hour after hour
Disappearing down this sceneless drain
Was I broken?
As creativity’s wind had stilled
Would I have to search my heart?
Satisfied with my past so chilled
The seasons seemed colourless
A black and white mirage
Visions so conformed
A clutter in aimless montage
So this pressure on my stale brain
Forced upon me an illusion
All my images formed
Grew new wings in extrusion
II
These patrons of my soul
A new inspiration born
Laughter and sadness in collusion
Oh, such a poet’s thorn!
Flying trumpets did blow
And stages taking on hulls
Congregations singing from heaven
The choir in spiritual cull
The movies flickered
And re-started in continental dance
A new rhythm in my feet
My floor a tiled manse
Each square a place to intrude
The corners ill-defined
This modernist enlightenment
So radically designed
III
Was I in recognition
Of a lost generation?
Parading like a soldier
Tangled feet in Charleston’s citation
My heart less embittered
Adorned with old songs and sentiment
Bow ties and courtly manners
No masquerade of lonely testament
This ride a re-birth
And faith in simple dreams
And imagination’s discarded forbearance
Filtering through the humourless seams
Chapters and pages
Leafing through the glory
Of mesmerizing confusion
Telling this marvelous story
DeaBeePea 12-29-18
2019
I look in the mirror
and I notice some guilt
thinking about
that New Year's tilt
why did we celebrate?
nothing has changed
it still feels
that I am estranged
from what is reality
and its crazy bite
that asked me to speak
in conflict to incite
but I guess there is reason
to hoist a glass
we survived another year
while crying en masse
but we had some fun
and it will continue
because we're survivors
of this disconcerting menu
it's not a la carte
because one thing leads
to another in peril
as hope proceeds
the wine was bright
and company was warm
and the noise a drone
in this conversational swarm
the night was drizzly
and the sky was dark
but the spirits were high
and our eyes aspark
so why don't we do it
every night
to make the year special
a permanent bedight
oh excuse me, I'm dreaming
which I often do
it keeps me sane
in this swirling milieu
Oh, the mirror just cracked
is this a clue?
that the year will be cursed
and I will go blue
or is it a way
to say to me
don't look at yourself
just concentrate on...drinking Chablis
DeaBeePea 1-2-19
Where
What is the strive?
with my soiled soles
slippery steps
as my thighs cajole
affirmation
among the hedges
and windward paths
that success alleges
my heart is swimming
in fleshbound worry
without a thought
of others’ scurry
imagination’s vine
suctioned with doubt
disconnected
in faith’s bold drought
Of unknown apology
this endless guilt
Teasing our hope
Where love is built
my blood a tide
Of ebb and flow
Diurnal dancing
As wisdom grows
The path is long
And my journey strange
But a smile remains
Over this rudderless grange
A field of dreams
My feet are weary
And yet steadfast
Over the hills so bleary
the ideas pile
and solutions dwindle
so what is this destination?
Of uncertain brindle
The spirit lies
Somewhere within
Yet comes from a place
Where forever has been
Stemming this confusion
A worthless fight
It conjures beauty
And colourful light
Without goal my reality
Aims are my breath
Ambiguity my days
imagination my undeath
DeaBeePea 1-8-19
Happiness
Love
Happiness
Love
Happiness
I love happiness
DeaBeePea 1-8-19
Endurity
Blunting the edge of silence,
Is the shrillness of my mind
Chopping at opinion
Splinter thoughts astray
There is a casual breeze
Offering to toss and turn
A taste of growing craziness
The feathers caught in flight
I see the miniature eddies
On the pond that flickers its light
Refracting my unstillness
In fear of stabbing prey
The sky an uncertain ceiling
As I look up to the stars
In prayer of hope with tears
In search of humble might
The powers overtaking
The sunlight just a whim
And raindrops send condolences
With morning dew’s reply
There seems to be a wall
Built between our hearts
As atmospheric doubt
Spins tales of pensive gloom
There is blowing, though
A fierce passion so dogged in desire
That amidst this lying treachery
We see a bluing sky
So this poison of untruth
getting louder and unkind
can be scorched by the sun
as we close of the barrier of doom
the seasons only periods
perspectives of altered moods
temperatures and colours
a kaleidoscopic pool
pungence and frank fragrances
Nature’s hoots and wails
As we loiter in awed amazement
Pausing in thinkless bliss
what is this ephemeral life
Do we celebrate the broken bough
As injuries teach us pain
In the spring of budding jewels
We don’t predict, dare say
Or claim to know the end
But we feel a calm acceptance
Of a sweet and soothing kiss
DeaBeePea 1-10-19
Swearing
I don't swear
in my modest verse
and I'm not sure why
I do not curse
but after some thought
I think I have the answer
it has something to do with rhyme
and poetry's enhancer
as far as words go...
that come to mind I say
that end in uck and it
I'd rather use duck and quit
DeaBeePea 1-10-19
Reawaken
Is my heart lame
In its frequent followings
Running after things
Buried in my conscience of love
It is such a long way
And as the years are counted
The unreachable dream
Seems to be in mockery’s hold
Where is the home for this peace
Or is it unknown
Is my vision a misunderstanding
Of my presence thereof
Perhaps it is today
My breath will be taken
And you will be the answer
But not a conquered fold
My words are now dry
As observation’s eye
Becomes the dictator of my soul
And my ears beckon to a voice
It is the sound of touch
And an echo of laughter
A taste of sentiment too
Rejoicing in its power
Has this journey been
my inner voice, to no avail
Or is my perception
One of misallocated choice
Am I in the wrong Universe
Where my body is vacant
Exploring without knowledge
For a petaless flower
Is my breath almost gone
As I now inhale
Approaching new orbit
For a life unknown
A rebirth of passion
My legs anointed
Running through heavens
With stories of yearning
So I run back the way I came
Young spirit alive
Innocence relit
Its journey now flown
My lame heart sings
In lullaby’s strain
An old sweet song
A melody returning
DeaBeePea 1-11-18
Speech
My laughter, my unrehearsed music
A gossamer voice
Layered in insecure hunger
Never in disguise
But it teases my conscience
A trill through the trees
Bouncing back
As others smile in fast reflection
Like a spring joy
Believing in an unexplained rebirth
Shielded from sunshine
But seeing the light in its surprise
The signature is sloppy
And hiding in darkness
Coming out to thaw
In awkward rhythmic inflection
What are the seasons of my humour
And their syncopated interpretation
A sneaky choral blues
Residing in my hearts impression
The voice can reach a singing stage
As the melody begins its flow
Taking comfort, so niched
In a tidy modest home
What is my friendly choir
Or is it a dissonant shriek
My accompaniment in friendship
With a tolerant ear in session
an over-played record
Over lengthy years
Or a magic juxtaposition
Like a wild and grassy brome
roaming over this range
Our footsteps blown away
Making way for a labyrinth
Of questions from the crowd
Invisible faces in awe and doubt
Looking at advantage
Wondering if this attitude
Is a blooming flower of hope
Or a wilting showman’s show
The curtain ready to close
All ears deafened
To this articulation, inaudibly loud
but the uniquity stands so tall
It’s all that holds the pen
So this vivid wide-eyed cry
As fear and faith elope
DeaBeePea 1-14-19
We must all be feminists...
The Beginning
The never dying soul
Taking each step
With wary caution
But breathing fire
Hand in hand
With children and the Spirit
Weeping in their prison
But their voice so bold
Who are the listeners
Of this song so divine
Loyalty and love
Of eternal aspire
Let this family grow
As the voices build
A warning crescendo
This ever-story told
Those voices loud and crude
Still echoing in our heads
Can be beaten down
with hammers honest and true
it’s been a journey
from Plato and Pizan
Wollstonecraft and Anthony
And Ladies of Langham Place
a conflict of anger
And shrillest of words and stones
And patient diplomacy
Under hopeful skies so blue
Amendments and rights
And jabberwocky from those
Defending their power
And reddening face
Parker’s sharp tongue
And Steinem’s dry wit
Are the biting words
That open the gates
But the heavens are waiting
For those glorious clouds
The purest of white
In impartial compart
It’s an everyday style
Seeing, with all the same eyes
Undoing our burdens
And lifting the weights
Equality is not law
Or an enforced deliberation
But a value for life
And concept of the heart
DeaBeePea 1-15-19
Alice Ruth Moore Dunbar Nelson (July 19, 1875 – September 18, 1935) was an American poet, journalist, and political activist. Among the first generation born free in the South after the Civil War, she was one of the prominent African Americans involved in the artistic flourishing of the Harlem Renaissance.
She wrote a poem, Thought, Hope, Love, Death, Faith
I decided to attempt the same, but I then decided to add Nature and Happiness.
SEVENETTE:
THOUGHT
Thou wonder of its birth
Flashing in and out
Burping in its bang
A part of dreams that sang
Juxtaposed over pain
And laying over laughter
Not much applied
As the naysayer implied
HOPE
What is this
From wherest it come
This unconscious desire
For happiness’ spire
This half-sinking place
Where we stand so wet
Still clinging to good
And life where you stood
LOVE
Why is there a woeful cringe
Is this not a source for joy
The heart ablaze
And mind in a frenzied craze
Why, without this
What is there left
Besides sanity and peace
And wonders never cease
FAITH
Sometimes, if not always
A springboard for hope
gently lulling the mind
to thoughts so maligned
but in optimism’s name
it endures forever
as I listen to my prayers
and the angels stare
DEATH
Do I look forward
to this inevitable fate
flying somewhere
in a corpse-like dare
beckoning to follow
all of mankind
to this brand-new place
as I quietly efface
DREAMS
Is this really life
In its sneaky betrayal
Pretending to be slumber
In undefined number
Or is it not at all
Invisible and untouchable
Just a dream of dreams
In endless streams
HAPPINESS
Oh such a phrase
What is this I hear
Frolicking and joy
Do I really know this toy
Avoidance it could be
Denial of what is
But I will use it each day
In sadness’ delay
NATURE
Here are the rules
Measuring our obedience
This beautiful throne
The answer so shown
Thus we are surrounded
Are we blind to this star
A radiant glare
On life so fair
DeaBeePea 1-16-19