Hi Toads.
It is (supposedly) a holiday time of the year. I understand this whenever the date flashes up on my computer screen; I have particularly strong evidence when I walk through the streets of New York City (shown here in some pics I took.)
Still, there's a kind of disconnect. At least for me, and I suspect for many out there. I just have a very hard time summoning up "holiday spirit." (I suspect it has something to do with the terrible materialism of it all.)
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As a result, I wanted to come up with a prompt that both (i) honors the season; and (ii) honors, or, at least gives a little respect to, that disconnect.
So, here it is. Think of a song--preferably a song of the season, a Christmas carol, Hanukah or Winter or truly any other song--and pick two consecutive words out of it. This can be any two words as long as they come one after the another. They do not have to be words particularly central to the song or the season and certainly your poem does not have to relate to the song or the season.
Use those two consecutive words as the spring board for your poem. Ideally, the words should be included (sequentially) in the title or at least the body of your poem. But, I stress, the poem does not have to be informed by the choice of song. (Please, however, do tell us what the words are, and what song or carol was used.)
To make this easier for you in a busy time, I have set forth some two word choices below, but please please please feel free to choose your own. (For example, I'll likely use a pair not listed below.)
"Let Earth" - (from Joy to the World)
"Front Teeth" - (from All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth)
"The Housetops" - (from Up on the Housetops)
"All Is"- (from Silent Night)
"God, Rest"- (from God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
"All Is"- (from Silent Night)
"God, Rest"- (from God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
"Following Yonder"- (from We Three Kings)
"Fa La" - (from Deck the Halls)
"Fa La" - (from Deck the Halls)
"I’m Dreaming" - (from I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas)
"Of Clay" (from the Dreidel Song)
"Among The" - Wassail Song
"How A Rose" - (this is a cheat - three words- you can use “ a rose” if you prefer - from Lo, how a rose e’re blooming.)
"The Herald" - (from Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
"Lovelight Gleams" - (From I’ll Be Home for Christmas)
"Better Not" - (From Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
"He’s Loaded" - (Also from Christmas Song - in that case about Santa and his sleigh)
"Bleak Midwinter" - (From Mid winter.)
"He’s Loaded" - (Also from Christmas Song - in that case about Santa and his sleigh)
"Bleak Midwinter" - (From Mid winter.)
"Snows Lay" - (Good King Wenceslaus)
"Sing We" - ( from The Wassail Song)
These are just examples. Feel free to use them, but feel free to use a pair you come up with on your own. Above all, feel free. (Keep in mind that you ABSOLU"TELY should feel free to use traditional word pairs such as “Santa Claus” or “Virgin womb,” “O Star, “ “Holy Night,” “the red-nosed,” "figgy pudding" etc.)
And says the lady with the QE-doo--do visit your fellow poets!
Finally, this is Outlawyer who is really Manicddaily and really really Karin Gustafson, wishing you all a safe, healthy and joyous holiday and the best of new years. As always, many thanks to Kerry and to you all for the many gifts you have and give.
Finally, this is Outlawyer who is really Manicddaily and really really Karin Gustafson, wishing you all a safe, healthy and joyous holiday and the best of new years. As always, many thanks to Kerry and to you all for the many gifts you have and give.
