THE SECRET SANTA POEMS

[poetinahat]

Here they are. Here's the list of participants, in case you're interested in guessing who wrote what:

AmaNicole
CurtisPutnam
dahmnait
ddgryphon
JBI
Jenny
LimeyDawg
Meerkat
Pat~
p.h.delarran
poetinahat
rhymegirl
Solatium
Stew21
threedogpeople
Unique

(Note: Some authors haven't yet sent in their poems.)

I'll reveal the authors of each after New Year's. Enjoy!

========================

The Season of Gold
by LimeyDawg
for threedogpeople

Hope was saved by a westward star,
and rode a path of purest white,
distilled, it found him swaddled there
against the cold of shattered night.

Then Joseph’s son, a promise set,
against the endless track of time,
eternal peace for coin of faith--
balance due by the tolling chime.

He guaranteed in blood, the pact,
that good illumes the lost soul’s way,
where none are barred the righteous path
who find an earnest knee to pray.

Yet in the mangered season’s shine
the sometimes faithful fret their lot,
forgetful of the gift He gave
they seek the things that they have not.

Yet should the season find you spent,
and coinless on the blessed day,
remember promised riches wait
for faithful feet that find the way.

Lo! Stay the frenzied buying pace,
and gaze upon the lighted tree
discover hope in twinkling glows
and faith in pine’s eternal leaves.

+++

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Pat~
for poetinahat

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the forum,
Not a poet was showing improper decorum.
They’d each hung their jingles on the Poet-Tree with care,
In hopes that their Moderator would soon be there.

They posted, then snuggled deep down in their beds,
While visions of rep comments danced in their heads.
And I in my PJ’s, with laptop in lap,
Had just settled down for my Christmas Eve nap,

When out from the Net there arose such a clatter,
I logged on to see just what was the matter;
Into the forum I flew like a flash,
Expecting to see all now lost but the cache.

The glow from the screen of my laptop so fine
Gave the luster of green lights from peeps now online,
When what to my wondering eye should appear—
A bard-in-a-hat from the wrong hemisphere!

He was clutching a gift of some squid for the Squad,
And I knew in a moment, it must be our Mod.
More rapid than eagles his poets all came,
As he posted and PM’d and called them by name:

“Now Limey, now Turkey, now Haskins and Annie!
On Louis, on Neuro, on Sebby and Jenny!
To the top of “New Posts,” lest these threads start to fall!
Now write away! write away! write away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the forum, the poets they flew,
With their heads full of iambs; pentameter, too.

And then in a twinkling, there appeared in no time
The prosodic inscribing of each poet’s rhyme.
As I stretched out my hand, and was starting to post,
Again came that modly bard, fresh from the coast.

He was dressed in his boardies, all wet head to toe,
And clutched in his hand was a soggy rondeau;
A bundle of rep points was flung on his back,
Along with some crits and a well-timed wisecrack.

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were all suntanned, though lately quite hairy;
The smile on his face was as sly as a cat,
And perched on his head was that infamous hat.

He took down the jingles from our Poet-Tree,
And then began reading one written by me;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He opened his sack and dispensed his rp’s
For all of our efforts with the greatest of ease.
His praise was prolific, his crits were astute—
Though his own greater talent no one would dispute.

Then laying a finger aside of his hat,
His green light went red as my neighbor’s Fiat.
But I heard him exclaim, as he hid from our sight,
“Merry Christmas to all here at Absolute Write!”

+++

For P.H. Delarran
by Meerkat
for p.h.delarran

Too long away,
So little write,
These ninety days
Of brittle right.

Under a tent,
P.H. slipped ears,
"The Answer Man
will calm your fears."

But such men prey
On depth of thought,
They outpace "pray,"
Don't do what ought.

P.H. slipped out,
Sad, old, but wise,
From tent of doubt,
To trust her eyes.

Same eyes we love,
Who read her lines,
Which rise above,
Misleading signs.

There is a tent,
We all enjoy,
And free of rent,
Where few play coy.

Too long away,
So little write,
P.H.'s lines
Once more in sight.

This rent-free thread,
This room of word,
Of laid-bare head,
Where soulful heard.

No Answer Man,
No magic dove,
No chosen clan,
Just trust and love.

Shun charlatan,
All fire and wrath,
Dear Delarran:
Enjoy the path.

+++

Indigestion
by Jenny
for Meerkat

The poet tastes the world in words
and offers cooking lessons.

Pinch and prod, select and strip.
Mix this with that. Add a dash --
Sprinkle insight. Taste a sip
Ew!
Steep in pain. Sear with passion.
Roast or simmer, let it burn!
Serve

No wonder poets starve.

+++

The Night Before Christmas (In the House of Love)
by rhymegirl
for Unique

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the House
Not a member was posting,
Not even "oneblindmouse."

Santa puzzled at this
For he found it quite odd,
No House of Love members,
Why, not even a mod!

The hot tub was empty,
The water all drained,
Zach, the towel boy, had bolted
When finally unchained.

Santa put down his sack
And was scratching his head,
Just where were all these people?
Maybe all in Ray’s bed?

Then as he was puzzling,
He turned with a jerk,
For he sensed someone peeking,
It was more of a lurk.

“Who is there?” Santa shouted,
“Don’t be shy, can’t you speak?”
“It’s just me,” came her voice,
Then he saw her-- Unique.

“Ah, Unique!” Santa said,
“Good to see you, my dear,
I’ve a present for you,
You’ve been so good this year.”

“I have?” asked Unique,
“Do you really think so?”
“Why, you bet!” Santa said,
“I’m surprised you don’t know.

“While these other folks here
Say some real raunchy stuff,
You just lurk."
Said Unique, “And you think that’s enough?”

“Why, of course! It’s delightful,
This lurking you do,
It’s so different, UNIQUE--
Why, exactly like you!”

Santa gave her a gift--
A nice, shiny red sleigh,
Then Unique climbed aboard,
And flew up and away.

And I heard Santa say
As she drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas, my dear,
And to all a good night.”

+++

Journey from Christmas to Easter
by threedogpeople
for Pat~

In an ice cold stable
on a moonless night,
a young girl labored
with all her might.

A goat softly nickered,
a donkey brayed,
watching in wonder,
her husband prayed.

He made a bed
as he worried and paced,
"Newborn babies
don't take much space"

He found a manger then
filled it with hay;
he did his best
on that cold winter day.

The girl bore down,
and then he came;
the babe looked around
as she spoke his name.

"Your name is Jesus,"
she softly said,
then placed him gently,
in his humble bed.

The angels sang
in the star's bright light
"The prince has come!
Oh, Holy Night."

The shepherds came,
called in the night;
the whole and the lame,
radiant with delight.

And when they did
they received God's grace,
they were first from outside
to see the child's face.

Christmas has come
and the world's under stress;
my family is too
I must confess.

But we'll pause from
the hectic lives we pursue
and remember He came
for us and for you.

He gave up his life
on a rough cross, you know,
to take our sins and
wash us white as snow.

Christmas is a journey
that leads to the cross
but it's not a fable
and it's not a loss.

Love the Lord
with all of your heart,
he'll take your sins
and that's just the start.

He'll remember and protect
each and every one of us,
he'll do it from love
and doesn't ask for much.

Accept the gift of God's son
in this season of love
but Easter is coming
through that gift from above.

Accept the gift now
and we'll never be apart
God has promised to protect us
with His Holy Son's heart.

+++

Remains
by CurtisPutnam
for Stew21

Progressing like a spinning top
Traveled the landscape in buses
Nursing wound upon wounds
Not quite divorced, not quite freed
Seen the world from inside jails
Looked out the dirty windows of soul
Landed here improbably cleansed
Leaking humility, far from home.

In the night dark street glistens with rain
Homeless in the shelter of buildings
Suddenly filled with disgust
Resolve moved to change the landscape
Spent coin no heads no tails
Chose direction by indirections
Somewhere between Memphis and West Memphis
The policeman questioned intentions
As though suicide were an option
When seeing God flowing in the Mississippi.

The kindness of strangers
Treasure of human-kind
Cleaned the house
Cracked the door.

Some timeless portal swung open
Thrust soul into verity
The sun came splashing to brain
Like fresh cornbread upon tongue
Eternity an onionskin away.

Which way the wind blows
That blows us Home?

+++

Winter
by JBI
for ddgryphon

Snowflake
Floating down
Onto the field
Unique image
Alone; Different
Crunched upon the field
Becoming nothing amongst
Mashed mess
Fearing the spring
And its thaw


Evergreen Tree
Upright in the forest
Stand true; proud
Noble; Strong
Roots run deep;
Foundation
But axes
Whack whack whack
Unsinew dreams
Right out of the
Ground

Wolf
Run noble free
Together in the hunt
Teeth tearing at
Feasting upon the stag
Yet bigger pieces others
Grab; lesser
Wolf gets
Smallest Cut

Gift
Sitting there under the tree
Representing the effort
But not what
You want
Trying so hard
To please
Yet not quite
Disappointment
Bottom of the junk
Cupboard


Man
Snowflake tree
Wolf and gift
Life is cold
Death is swift
Work is hard
Days grow dark
Caught off guard
Silenced bark;
Dying Sun
Already begun

+++

Bethlehem
by ddgryphon
for Jenny

One
birth--
ancient--
rings across
generations past:
altered in form, spirit never
lost, though it divides
nations; joins
lost souls
in
love.

+++

Because of You
by Unique
for rhymegirl

Like a warm wind through my soul
Your friendship brings beauty and light
to my dark places.

A gift of wine soothing a parched throat
Given freely and with joy.
Like warm snow – a miracle.

Young at heart, yet gently wise
Compassionate and generous
You share both wit and wisdom

Merry Christmas my friend
and great blessings to you
We are richer in our souls

Because of you.

+++
(two in one)
by dahmnait
for AmaNicole

1. Christmas Heart

It matters not where
You are, because Christmas hope
Is where the heart is.

2. Untitled

Her eyes sparkle, pure
Delight as each box is opened.
Revealing treasures stored
Till that once a year grace
Where against nature's backdrop
Icicles of spun glass
Are gently placed
Next to clothespin reindeer.
White, fluffy pom-poms of Santa’s beard
Memories of childhood past.
Strands of colored stars, arranged
Just so.
Nighttime sprinkles between
Silver webs of tinsel.
And above it all,
Beautiful in its depiction
Of love and hope,
A silver star to guide us home.

+++
Blown Glass
by Stew21
for LimeyDawg

one bulb, perfect,
it hangs from an untrustworthy hook
five others look the same,
as ten others.
a uniform look.

but the one
it stands alone.
what's put into it shines through its thin, icy skin,
the glass - glowing warm with light and merry.
What's put in - transparent - we see it;
the love revealed in the annealing -
the patience.
built-in strength for endurance.
Time.

The blown glass bulb -
built from extremes: heat, time, and love.

For Christmas - I'll take the not perfect,
the handmade,
the blown glass, the unique, the meant.
For this Christmas - I'll take the effort.

The time.

The beauty of imperfection, the joy of a season.

Let it become beautiful with effort, let it glow,
with time, let it sing with patience,
for in years, it's imperfection
will still be lit by the memory and be
perfect.

+++

Still My Beaten Heart
by poetinahat
for Solatium

as I despaired in empty days
of gilded fattened sleep, I’d dream
of peace in nonexistence: Death
to still my beaten heart?

but every time, I’d hesitate
to give away my living breath
and, strange, the force that stayed my hand
was still my beaten heart

forgetting morbid depths of blue,
resumed my plodding sanity
contented but unsatisfied,
but still my beaten heart

at last I startled from my slumber,
shrugged off years of thickened dust:
With Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men
instill my beaten heart!

+++

The Comfort of Christmases to Come
by p.h.delarran
for JBI

Gather near today
In thankfulness and gladness
Reach for the bounty laid out before you
Fill your belly with goodness

Outside the wind blows harsh
The trees are bent and heaving
Yet at the hearth, may your heart beat warm
With those you love beside you

Take comfort in these moments
Let the season’s joy entice you
The wind will soon stop howling,
The trees will stop their heaving

And you, my friend, will soon arrive
At that place your heart’s been seeking
Where the wind is never howling,
Where the trees are never heaving

+++

Christmas Wish
by p.h. delarran
for CurtisPutnam

A simple Christmas wish
Is what I offer you
No tinsel wrap, or gilded dish
Heaped high with Christmas goo

I cannot sing a carol
My voice is much too weak
I will not fix a fruit cake
I know you would not eat

I’ve packed away the ornaments
And all the pretty lights
Yet still I gaze out at the stars
On these cold Winter nights

A joy has grown inside my heart
I wish to pass it on
I wish to share the Christmas hope
That one bright night was born

For Christmas is not only gold
It’s silver, red and blue
It’s lasting hope and family blood
And friends faithful and true

To you my friend, I lift my glass
And wish you all the best
The year will fly, it always does
And Christmas may come last

But in my heart, and in yours too
May we carry all the year
A spirit high with wondrous hope
A spirit full of cheer

+++

Eternal Light
by ddgryphon
for dahmnait

That
star,
across
ancient skies,
bright in glorious
hope, bringing grace to all people.
Now shines out from those
who know the
holy
child's
love.

- fin -

[Stew21]

I absolutely loved the one I received, and am not at all pleased with the one I gave.

I'll have to make it up and do a better one.

[Jenny]

I echo Trish -- my poem could definitely be improved, but I did enjoy writing it and being part of Secret Santa. I adored reading all the gifts. The balance between giggles and serious worked beautifully.

[P.H.Delarran]

These are fantastic!

[JBI]

Mine was belated so my person sent it to me directly:

The Comfort of Christmases to Come


Gather near today
In thankfulness and gladness
Reach for the bounty laid out before you
Fill your belly with goodness

Outside the wind blows harsh
The trees are bent and heaving
Yet at the hearth, may your heart beat warm
With those you love beside you

Take comfort in these moments
Let the season’s joy entice you
The wind will soon stop howling,
The trees will stop their heaving

And you, my friend, will soon arrive
At that place your heart’s been seeking
Where the wind is never howling,
Where the trees are never heaving

[poetinahat]

I loved the one sent to me. It's splendid.

I thought more of mine before I sent it. Now I can see it's only slightly coherent, and that I spend too much time on wordplay and not enough on meaning. It gives me something to work on.

I hope everyone's enjoyed this event.

There are still two poems outstanding. To those two poets, I'd ask that you please still send your poems; they'll be gladly received.

[Pat~]

Even with the names you've given, I'm finding it next-to-impossible to guess who wrote what. For just a couple of people, I've got it narrowed down to about 2 or 3 poems...I think...

[P.H.Delarran]

Originally Posted by Pat~

Even with the names you've given, I'm finding it next-to-impossible to guess who wrote what. For just a couple of people, I've got it narrowed down to about 2 or 3 poems...I think...

me too ...I think.

[rhymegirl]

So is anybody gonna try to guess?

[P.H.Delarran]

I can't guess 'em all. But here's my first thoughts:

oh never mind-LOL, I'll be back.
you go first, Kathy.

[rhymegirl]

Originally Posted by P.H.Delarran

I can't guess 'em all. But here's my first thoughts:

oh never mind-LOL, I'll be back.
you go first, Kathy.

Okay.

I'll guess that Trish wrote the two poems for AmaNicole.

[P.H.Delarran]

I think Trish wrote Blown Glass, for Limey Dawg.
DDGryphon wrote Bethlehem, for Jenny.
Unique wrote Indigestion, for Meerkat.
Rhymegirl wrote Unique's poem, HOL Night Before Christmas.
I kinda think Limey wrote mine, but maybe he wrote Poet's-or maybe Pat did.
uhhh, that's all I got, so far.

[LimeyDawg]

Originally Posted by P.H.Delarran

I think Trish wrote Blown Glass, for Limey Dawg.

Yeah, it has a trish-esq feel to it

I kinda think Limey wrote mine, but maybe he wrote Poet's-or maybe Pat did.
uhhh, that's all I got, so far.

Nope. I'm not that talented.

[Pat~]

Okay, I'll venture a guess...I think maybe Jenny wrote mine?

And maybe Poet wrote P.H. Delarran's?

[Jenny]

I didn't write "Journey from Christmas to Easter" (wish I had). I'm guessing Unique? It's so hard to guess style - much harder than I thought it would be. Did ddgryphon write "Still My Beaten Heart"? Rhymegirl "Bethlehem"? (that was my poem, and I love how short and strong it is)

[Pat~]

Okay, Poet, it's after New Year's...spill the beans.

[Meerkat]

These are all fantastic, and I loved especially the one someone kindly wrote for me.

I believe Unique wrote that one for me;
and I believe Stew21 wrote the one for ddgryphon.

[Stew21]

someone guessed mine right. I'm not telling which one of you.

I think Jenny wrote mine.

[Unique]

I'm not guessing and I'm not telling either.

They were all great, though. It was fun. How about Valentine's Day?
Give me a reason to like that holiday (for once)

[dahmnait]

This was my first chance to get on since before the holiday. These are wonderful!


I am with Unique, I'm not guessing and I'm not telling either. (I really just wanted a chance to stick my tongue out. It was a long travel day yesterday.)



I would, however, like the chance to edit mine a tad. I was able to get it off before my flight out, but I wish I could have had one more day to sit on the poem. To my giftee, I'll take care of my minor edits after Poet announces the names.

[dahmnait]

Well, I am out of town again for a few days. And again, I am unsure if I will have internet access. So, if my Secret Santa wants to send Poet something...hint hint...nudge nudge...



If, on the other hand, you can't complete something, don't worry about it. I had fun just writing mine.

(I really need to work on this guilt trip thing. I just can't seem to stick with it effectively.)

[poetinahat]

I've added all the authors' names.

Thank you, everyone, for playing; as always, you've produced a superb collection!

[rhymegirl]

Originally Posted by P.H.Delarran

I think Trish wrote Blown Glass, for Limey Dawg.
DDGryphon wrote Bethlehem, for Jenny.
Unique wrote Indigestion, for Meerkat.
Rhymegirl wrote Unique's poem, HOL Night Before Christmas.
I kinda think Limey wrote mine, but maybe he wrote Poet's-or maybe Pat did.
uhhh, that's all I got, so far.

You did pretty good guessing, PH!

You guessed at least 3 right. You got mine right. And how about that--I wrote Unique's poem and she wrote mine.

[Jenny]

Well, I guessed totally wrong. But it was great fun

[Unique]

Originally Posted by rhymegirl

You did pretty good guessing, PH!

You guessed at least 3 right. You got mine right.

And how about that--I wrote Unique's poem and she wrote mine.

poetinahat - did you do that on purpose?