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Thursday, December 22, 2011

This Poet Gives Another Look At That Special Night

Poetry Friday is celebrated today with Dori at Dori Reads

I have a friend who sends favorite poems at Christmas time in her cards.  It is a thoughtful gift and something I look forward to each Christmas time.   A few years ago, she sent the poem BC:AD by UA Fanthorpe.  I did not know this poet, or the poem, but it made me want to know more.  Fanthorpe has an amazing gift of word knowledge, paring down to what must be said, and then no more, what all poets attempt with varied success.  I love the different paths she takes by looking at known topics as new ones. You can find this poem with two others that Fanthorpe wrote about Christmas here.   In 2002, the poet’s Christmas poems that she wrote and sent to friends for many years were collected into one volume, Christmas Poems.      Several people have set this poem to music too, easily found by a Google search. 
Happy Holidays everyone!

This is the beginning:
BC:AD
by UA Fanthorpe:

This was the moment when Before
Turned into After, and the future's
Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.
at

12 comments:

  1. Amy L VDecember 23, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Linda, thank you for introducing me to Fanthorpe...I very much enjoyed going over and reading all three poems. Beautiful, as is your photo. I'm off to find the music! It's been a delight to "get to know" you a bit this year...Merry Christmas! a.

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  2. TabathaDecember 23, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    Thank you, Linda. These connections we share with each other are what makes Poetry Friday so special!

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  3. GatheringBooksDecember 23, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Very cryptic. And so immensely moving. I know what you mean about his capacity to pare a thought down to the barest essential and communicate a universe of meaning in the process. Like what Amy and Tabatha said - my 2011 has been made brighter because of you and other lovely people I met through Poetry Friday. Enjoy the holidays. Sending you winter sun and morning sparkles and hugshugshugs from Singapore.

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  4. Irene LathamDecember 23, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    What a wonderful gift! I love a poem that feels beyond me somehow but the language still speaks to me ?? Hard to describe a poem like that. I trust my PF friends will understand. :) Thanks so much for sharing.

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  5. DoraineDecember 23, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    What a beautiful poem! Thanks for introducing me to this poet. I enjoyed reading all three. I do love the spare language. A poem at Christmas is a lovely gift.

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  6. Elaine MagliaroDecember 23, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    What a great idea--sending poems with Christmas cards!

    I hope you enjoy the holidays with your new granddaughter.

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  7. jamaDecember 23, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Love the idea of poems in Christmas cards! Thanks for introducing me to UA Fanthorpe (strange name). :)
    SO happy to have met you through PF this year, Linda! Happy Holidays!!

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  8. Donna SmithDecember 23, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Interesting poet and poem. Before turned to after...Only in the uninvented timekeepers' minds.
    Have a wonderful Christmas, Linda! I'm baking a Christmas Cake now...pudding later!!!!

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  9. Mary LeeDecember 23, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I've always been fascinated with that moment between BC and AD. It's like the world held its breath.

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  10. Joyce RayDecember 23, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Linda, I love these poems. Thank you for posting them. And I see you accepted the 2012 Reading Challenge also. I'll be looking for the books you choose!

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  11. CSPetersonDecember 24, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    I am now hooked on Fanthorpe! Thank you Linda!

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  12. Deb DayDecember 24, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    I love the idea of Christmas poems too. And this is a beautiful one. Merry Christmas, Linda.

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