Wow, it is the winter solstice and a full moon, a few days before Christmas. How can we begin to celebrate this wonder of a day? Start by visiting Buffy Silverman for this Poetry Friday and learn of a book out this year that speaks beautifully of our sky! Thanks for hosting, Buffy!Happy Holidays to everyone. I'm wishing you all a merry time and a new year filled with beautiful poetry like that in this older anthology I'm sharing today. If you know the names Harry Behn, X.J. Kennedy, Valerie Worth, David McCord, Langston Hughes, Edith Agnew, Norma Farber, Christina Rossetti, Arno Holz, John Ciardi, J. Patrick Lewis, Clement Clarke Moore, Myra Cohn Livingston, and Trina Schart Hyman, you will understand why I'm excited to share some memorable Christmas words with you. Myra Cohn Livingston made the selections and Trina Schart Hyman illustrated this beautiful book. What I'm sharing is only an excerpt of the full text.
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| discovered at my library book sale |
But its whisper
When lifted
A sifting of
Silks and snows.
"Candy Cane" Hot wintry
Mint, striped
Round with
Fire and snow,
by David McCord
"Come Christmas"
All stars are hung so every Christmas tree
has one above it. Let's go out and see.
by Langston Hughes
"Carol of The Brown King"
Three Wise Men,
One dark like me–
Part of His
Nativity.
by Norma Farber
"Come Learn of Mary"
Who can't rejoice
come learn of me
that hold a baby
on my knee,
and keep him safe
for what's to be.
by John Ciardi
"Christmas in Key West" - the ending
Or we splash in the pool and we shout "Ho-ho-ho!
Now isn't this better than shoveling snow!"
by Clement Clarke Moore
"A Visit From St. Nicholas"
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.!"
from St. Luke, 2:8-14
And this shall be a sign to you; Ye shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in
a manger.
And one beautiful double-page spread with an old song I grew up singing and a wonderful poem about giving!
If only my mail didn't arrive so very late! I just received my poetry swap from Erin Mauger, from Australia! Thank you, Erin, for the lovely poem and gifts. I'll share on my next Poetry Friday!
This looks like a treasure! (And now you've got me singing Christmas is a coming, the geese are getting fat...a favorite from my elementary school days.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous spread of Christmas cheer. I love it! And, the illustrations are grand too. Thank you for such a lovely smattering of Christmas poems.
ReplyDeleteHow delightful a post Linda and book that you found, I love all the poems and art here!!! I had a chuckle from the Key West poem too. What a sweet song and gift the "Christmas Chime" is. I think we shared the same moon this week in our pics–lovely all around, thanks, and Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI love all of these, but the one I identify with most from my tropical home is John Ciardi. Isn't it fun to read books that have been around a while?
ReplyDeleteA splash in the pool! I know that Christmas!!! (Or most often, the river ... or dash under the sprinkler.) For sure, we will be chasing the shade and a cool spot this Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSo many memories from so many writers - but I have to say, I love X.J. Kennedy's the most...that "ping" in the pot is, indeed, a most joyful sound. Thanks for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI am so charmed by this book. I just ordered a copy from Abe Books. I remember listening to the Kingston Trio sing "Christmas is Coming" in harmony.
ReplyDeleteSweet book to share with the family, Linda. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to read these excerpts. I'm off to see if my library still has a copy of the book. "Christmas Chime" made my heart sing to hear that ping! And best of all, it was a find at your library book sale.
ReplyDeleteLove these snippets! What a treasure of a book. Your last two bring memories bubbling up -- every Christmas Eve, dad would read The Night Before Christmas, and mom would read the Christmas story from the Bible. I can still hear their voices in those words!
ReplyDeleteWonderful treasure! I feel like I held that book in my hands at some point. Love the two-color illustrations. Merry and happy to you, Linda!
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