Conclusion: 12 Days

This poem is the conclusion of my 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you enjoyed reading. This poem captures the childlike splendor and joy of the season.

Tiny tots glue their cheeks against store windows
Toy soldiers marched along artificial snow
The dollies blinked with all their beatitudes
Spirited ballerinas twinkle with a fiery glow

Toy soldiers marched along artificial snow
Twelve drummers ratta-tat-tat
Spirited ballerinas twinkle with a fiery glow
Model planes dive dangerously low

Twelve drummers ratta-tat-tat
Guns pop a cork and blast
Model planes dive dangerously low
Cherry red racers speeding fast

Guns pop a cork and blast
Train engine chugs on wooden tracks
Cherry red racers speeding fast
Young eyes forever hope the season lasts
　

Temptress/Eleven Pipers

My eleventh day of Christmas has romance, longing, and a bit of suspense.

Temptress Eve-she does not lend
Matrimony of love-she does not send
Pine needles of Christmas past-they neither bend
Presents from the heart-she feverishly spends

How does love taste on her tongue?
A berry whose juices rot in her lungs
Queen of the pipers, eleven men fancy
But music does not provoke her heels dancing

Murmur of the heart-can it rise?
By all estimations she’s surprised
To find her love brimming with affection
Her spirit guided in a new direction

Ten Lords

Hi all,

Today is the tenth day of Christmas: Ten Lords a Leapin' This poem makes me think of peace on earth. May the leaders of this world display a little generosity and love for other nations.

When the ten lords gather
From the farthest corners of the earth
West, East, North, and South
In processional splendor
Migrating to the epicenter
War and politics dissipate
In a season of garland and ice
The band strikes up and plays
And the lords leap and ascend
Gallivanting for the people

Nine Ladies Dancing

Hi all,

Today is the ninth day of Christmas: nine ladies dancing. This sounds like an entertaining gift!

‘Twas the love of his dreams
Gleaming in the bed of his eyes
Rising on the bed of her silhouette
Pirouettes smooth in rhythm and jive
Alive in the hips, shimmering blues
Hues of frost and the moon
Spooning out upon his lips
Dipping in the shadows
Dancing ladies in nine
Fine beauties bejeweled in light

Eight Maids

Hi all,

I've written this poem for the eighth day of Christmas: Eight Maids A-Milking. Each day poses a unique challenge, and I've noticed some are a bit random. Milking Maids as a gift? Well, here's my poem : )

Milking maids
In eights
Run against
The udder
Milk as smooth
As silk
Drifting down
The bucket
Churning butter
Sweating brow
Hard day’s work

Haiku Heights: Faith/Seven Swans

Hi all,

I've written this haiku for Haiku Heights. The theme this week is Faith. Also, it's the seventh day of Christmas: seven swans a swimming. December is flying by fast.

Seven swans swimming

With faith, they find their beauty

Graceful dance of love

O.S.I: Free(dom)

Hi all,

This poem is written for O.S.I. The theme this week is free(dom). I've also woven in my sixth day of Christmas: Six Geese A Laying : )

Horses dream of flying
Her father fancied
His voice echoed in the shadows
Down the valley and shallow creek
Jules astounded, stretched against his knees

Her eyes beseeching him to speak

They trot in open fields
Galloping wide into the sunset
Stretching in the heavenly stars
The wind riding in their mane

Reaching the border of a farmer’s fence
Kicking and neighing with all their might
Laying their heads upon the post
They retire to green pastures
Gnawing on dew grass

They marveled at birds in blue skies
Soaring beyond their reach
Six geese laying their wings
Against their worn, old backs
Taunting them to fly at last

Conquering freedom, soaring fast

Beyond their imprisoned gates
Jules had followed papa
Where the horses neighed

Five Golden Rings

Hi all,

I used the poetic style Nonet to write my Fifth Day of Christmas: Five Golden Rings.

She chased five rings swimming in the night
Singularly gold, full of light
Spinning away from her sight
Eluding her, she cried
Leaping up, she tried
Finding the prize
She treasured
Her ring
Shine

The Dream/ Four Calling Birds

This story is written for Thursday Tales and the fourth day of Christmas: Four Calling Birds. The accompanying photo is by Preetilata at White Window.

When Salvador dreamed, the world of noise, car horns, and traffic receded from memory. A quiet darkness washed over him like spilled ink. He drifted in his chair and heard the rain cascade against his window. His eyes dropped low like the sun setting deep.

A dream slowly kindled within him, flickering like a white moon in the night. Four, silvery shadows drew tantalizingly near him. Dancing, their arms circled above like wings. Their hair strung together in a collective symphony. Four calling birds nestled softly beside him. Perched on either sides of his arms, he gathered in speed and flight. He could drift to the farthest depths of the universe. He could swim amongst the stars and drink in the galaxies.

A knock at the door woke him amidst the glare of the streetlight. Car horns honked mercilessly and traffic snaked along wet pavement. The rainstorm had exhaled into the night of purple haze. He had hoped the dream would never end.

Three French Hens

Hi all,

Here is a poem for the Third Day of Christmas.

Lady Babette’s
Three French hens
Rose one evening
In the wintry night

Cossette, her golden hen
Bathed herself in cow’s milk
And scented herself in perfume

Danielle, a fine red hen
Intoxicated herself with wine
And pampered herself in silk

Fauntine, her brown hen
Adventurous and spry
Perched atop a Christmas tree
My don’t I look fine!

Amusing prima donnas
The moon laughed
He basked in the folly
Of the night

Sky Watch & Turtle Doves

Hi all,

I am combining my Sky Watch post with the 2nd Day of Christmas. I hope you all enjoy the wonder of the skies.

A pair of turtle doves
Coo softly against my window
A sprig of holly in their beaks
They flutter in my wintry dreams
When I wake, the doves have soared
Beyond the sunset of memory

12 Days

To ring in the holiday season, I will be writing a poem each day for the 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you all take time to enjoy the holiday season…perhaps there’ll be a Partridge in a Pear Tree in your future : )

Enchantress in green

Silver bells in tow

A candy cane affair

Adoring partridge casts his shadow

A pear tree ripe and bold

Ornamental fruit and ice

Lips desiring a slice

Whistling wonderland twice as nice