Animus

morgueFile

Snowflakes pressed in indigo,

spit-shined

for a coming new year.

I know you will read this.

I know you will not understand.

But, the sky is ready.

Snowflakes pressed in violet,

warming up

for a coming new year.

Haven't you gotten

your pound of flesh,

and then some?

                                                             yellow

                          violet                                                              blush-burst

indigo                                                                                                                      magenta

The sun

has arrived

but you don't see

the new year,

the melt,

the new day.

You're too blindly busy

thinking of

the next

crimson cut.

But,

the sky is ready,

trade your warfare

for wings,

come fly with me.

© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” - Vern McLellan

For the challenge at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads

Unsilent Night

Whores and lepers. Sheep shit and fish guts. The real gospel is gritty. The real Jesus is dirty, naked, and unashamed of his great, humiliating sacrifice for those willing to accept such an inglorious, less than glossy delivery, which was not heralded on expensive card stock, which may not have occurred on December 25^th. But it was the first Noel.

star twinkling

angels singing

staffs trembling

after 400 years of silent waiting

christmastime

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

trying my hand at tanka prose for carpe diem: christmastime

Don't be a Scut Farkus . . .

Have a Merry Christmas!

I triple-dog-dare ya.

Photo © 2014 Jennifer Wagner

Peace on earth?

Good will toward men?

Your two front teeth?

An Official Red Ryder, Carbine Action, Two-hundred Shot, Range Model Air Rifle?

Whatever it is, I hope you get it.

Photo © 2014 Jennifer Wagner

I took these photos this past summer in Hammond, Indiana where my husband's awesome Grandma and Aunt live (and where he spent many summers growing up). A Christmas Story was based on Jean Shepherd's book of short stories based on his experiences growing up in Hammond (fictionalized as “Hohman” in the film). Grandma and Grandpa were friends of the real-life “Flick,” who got his tongue stuck to the pole in Shepherd's story. Grandma says it really happened. Today is her 90^th birthday.

Enjoy the Christmas holiday, all . . . and be sure to drink your Ovaltine!