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Open Poetry #17
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Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan

0 posted 2001-12-17 12:30 PM


Santa will be here soon, with his eight reindeer
at my neighbor's Christmas tree, with envy, I peer
with stoplight colors, candy canes and tinsel
strands of lights, on and off they twinkle

a mystery of gifts, dressed in shiny paper
the odor of the pine tree's heady vapor
doorways and porches festooned with greens
with red ribbon swirling in between

the world is a riot of colored lights
with carolers singing "Oh Holy Night"
and stores bedecked with winter dazzle
try hard to soothe the shopper's frazzle

but I'm Jewish, I say-I don't celebrate
this must be the "chosen people's" fate
every December with an envious surge
to celebrate Christmas, I resist the urge

but I want some gifts in shimmery attire
I wish I could sing in a Christmas choir
and come home to that pine tree, twinkling bright
instead, I will light my menorah tonight  


copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (edited 12-17-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Lyra Nesius - All Rights Reserved
Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
1 posted 2001-12-17 12:46 PM


Oh .... but you have some of the most beautiful traditions....I can well understand your desires though because once, though I am Christian...I was married to a man who did not let us celebrate Christmas. **big hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Larry C
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Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
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United States
2 posted 2001-12-17 12:55 PM


Madame Chipmunk,
Seems there is always something to envy. I'm sure you have many things to celebrate as well!  

Mysteria
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3 posted 2001-12-17 01:02 AM


I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba which had a large population of Jewish people, and I used to envy your holidays too!  I had friends in school that got excused and I wanted "out" too!  Christmas such as it was supposed to be has changed quite a bit in over the years, and the tinsel, presents and decorations you see seem to mean more than why we are supposed to be celebrating which is the first "CHRIST - mas" or the birth of Christ.  However be proud, as in your religion, the tradition has held fast by a proud people.  I understand your poem though, and it is human nature to want to be part of whatever is going on.  I wish I was there to light your menorah with you!  I hope you find peace in your Feast of Lights. Shalom.

~*~  May the spirit of this season live in your heart all year through ~*~


rebekah33
Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 140
MD/NJ
4 posted 2001-12-17 01:23 AM


The grass is always greener...I hope you had a nice Hannukah!  
-R.

"So stop and love and dance and live and laugh until you cry" Edwin McCain

N orth Carolina Girl
Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962
NC,USA
5 posted 2001-12-17 09:28 AM


Lyra,you do celebrate Christmas in your heart! TAKE CARE!


Love,Juanita

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2001-12-17 09:34 AM


Madame C,
A bright and lovely write, enjoyed.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
7 posted 2001-12-17 09:41 AM


Menorah of candles
The wonder of light
Has equal the measure
Of Christmas delight

Equal the miracle
Savior's sweet birth
As a lamp void of oil
That lit up the earth

The sun wakes a child
To gifts with his name
And it sets at the hour
To light up a flame

Both candle and tinsel
Both measures of grace
To stir up the spirit
And light up your face

Loved your poem
Very cute
Take care
Liz


Marsha
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Maidstone Kent England
8 posted 2001-12-17 09:55 AM


Lyra darling girl, Yes you do celebrate Christmas, because you carry the spirit with you right through the year. In you there's no just being nice for Christmas, there's no Christmas spirit for one day only. YOU darling girl carry the love, giving joy and peace all the year. YOU give of your heart all the time.

This is a fabulously well written and wonderful poem as always YOU SHINE girly
I love it  
            
Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy
:    


To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1


peaches73533
Senior Member
since 2001-11-04
Posts 981
OK, USA
9 posted 2001-12-17 11:05 AM


Even if you don't celebrate the spirit is inside you.For I see it shining through.I'm sure you have may special ways to celebrate hannakuah.
Peaches

Mistletoe Angel
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10 posted 2001-12-17 06:55 PM




(sigh) Oh Lyra, I know just how you feel, for I love something out of every belief we all share! (sigh) There is so much I wished I could celebrate that Jewish people do, just as I am fascinated with many Buddhist and Hindu and other traditions! (sigh) So very touching, sweet friend, the beauty of the holidays always shines in your cheerful heart! (kiss on cheek) We all love you so much, sweet friend! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Lyra, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
11 posted 2001-12-18 12:22 PM


Thanks so much for the hugs, Karen...
Its so hard, as you know...to see the whole world celebrating and not be able to do it.
I take it, that this man is the father of your stepdaughter about whom you wrote that absolutely beautiful poem...
I hope you have a merry Christmas...
          

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks


[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (edited 12-18-2001).]

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
12 posted 2001-12-18 12:32 PM


Larry, Rebekkah and Seymour, Thank you for your replies...
The grass is always greener...but in winter, the snow is always whiter when it has beautiful Christmas decorations on it.

The Jewish people do have many beautiful traditions to celebrate,  but Christmas is just so universal, that many of us feel left out of society because we aren't supposed to celebrate. But I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.




copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (edited 12-18-2001).]

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
13 posted 2001-12-18 12:38 PM


Mysteria...Thanks for reading my poem...You are so right about the commercialization of Christmas...it really doesn't have the true meaning its supposed to have...I think Chanukah strikes a bit closer there to the true meaning.

Liz...thank you for that beautiful poem...

Merry Christmas to both of you.

            

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
14 posted 2001-12-18 12:44 PM


Juanita, Marsha and Peaches...
Thank you so much for those compliments...
I think my head is swelling!
I never knew that I carried the spirit of Christmas with me and that it shines right through!  Thank you all for saying that!
Just don't tell my mother...She would be very upset that her Jewish daughter shines with the spirit of Christmas...
Boy...would I be in big trouble with her!

But...I love that you all said that about me!

            

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
15 posted 2001-12-18 12:47 PM


And thank you too, Noah...for having such a great big heart.
                  

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
16 posted 2001-12-18 09:58 PM


Madame, My neice married a Jewish boy and now they have a baby girl.  They are trying to join the two religions.  I think that is great because they have a whole bunch of holidays.  Loved your poem and hope you at least can have some egg nog.  ME
Tracey
Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808
where insanity meets breeding
17 posted 2001-12-18 10:20 PM


I can imagine that it would be a little difficult when it seems everyone around you is celebrating Christmas. This is a very cute poem, and I wish you the best of the season, with your own traditions. I will think of you lighting your menorah.

If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please?

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
18 posted 2001-12-19 06:16 AM


Lyra,
the nice thing about Christmas is that your God gave out God...Happy Chanukah
Keth.

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
19 posted 2001-12-19 06:32 AM


I never really thought about this too closely before Lyra, but I very much enjoyed your thoughts and all the wonderful responses that followed. The spirit is alive and glowing in this thread. (I love your pen name, by the way Madam Chipmunk)

Best wishes and happy holidays to you!
/Kit

Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
20 posted 2001-12-19 07:44 AM


We are but one humanity
I would be more than happy to share my Christmas with you, my Passionate friend

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
21 posted 2001-12-22 01:20 PM


Mother Earth,
Thank you for your reply...
I think its great that they are trying to join both religions.
My late husband was baptist but converted to Judaism and we brought our children up in the Jewish religion, but every Christmas we went to his parents house so that our kids could experience a little bit of Christmas.
I think it was good for them!
My new husband isn't Jewish either...and we usually go to his ex-wife's house for Christmas(they are close friends now, like sister and brother)....so I still get a little bit of it!


copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks


[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (12-22-2001 01:22 PM).]

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
22 posted 2001-12-22 01:25 PM


Keth, Tracey and Nan,
Thank you so much for your good thoughts and wishes...
I hope that you all have a merry Christmas.
         
              

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
23 posted 2001-12-22 01:30 PM


Thanks Kit,
and I hope you have a great one also!
I chose the name "Madame Chipmunk" because my husband's pet name for me is "Chipmunk"...for some reason, he thinks I look like a rodent with a black stripe down it's back and its cheeks stuffed with acorns.
I added the "Madame" so that everyone would know that I am female.
I am glad that you like it.


copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (12-22-2001 01:31 PM).]

GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
24 posted 2001-12-22 01:53 PM


Lyra - You poor thing.  Heck, there is no reason you can't celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas.  Well, except for that whole religion thing.  Hey, I'll tell Santa to drop by your house and deliver you a delicious NY style pizza.  Sound good?

Dave

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
25 posted 2001-12-22 08:45 PM


Sounds great, Dave!!!!!!but please make that a Michigan pizza! They're so much tastier than NY pizzas
and they don't have that smelly NY grease all over them...ugh!
This is the chef who makes those NY pizzas
any questions?

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Mysteria
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British Columbia, Canada
26 posted 2006-12-14 03:03 AM


Dave if you are reading, I will be lighting a Menorah in her honor as she is always missed, always.
Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
27 posted 2006-12-14 10:51 AM


We love and miss you Lyra!
Midnitesun
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Gaia
28 posted 2006-12-14 03:50 PM


I miss her so much!!!!

MoonShadow
Senior Member
since 2001-08-02
Posts 943
Dark side of the Moon.
29 posted 2006-12-15 08:35 AM



    It saddens that some think Christmas needs to be regulated by or belong to religion. While I do not deny, nor do I argue, that Jesus may be the "Reason for the Season", I recognize that Spirituality is a personal association between the Soul and God.. no matter who He or She may be called... rather than religion which may be, in my humble opinion, a product of mankind... administered with tradition and perpetuated by mankind. I may not be "Religious"... but very "Spiritual".
   Christmas belongs to all who would embrace and celebrate it, regardless of religious creed or culture. There is more than one way and more than one reason to celebrate in the Spirit of Christmas. The Spirit of Christmas is a powerful feeling of magic in the Soul, that can manifest regardless of the creed or religion you choose. You have it too, Milady.. there inside of you. It glows and resonates with resounding beauty whenever the muse inspires you to share it with others. Whenever you feel the warmth inside your Soul... that is the Spirit moving within you. With each and every gift you share at P.I.P. it is the product of that Spirit, and a reflection of the 'Christmas like Spirit'. I, and your friends at P.I.P. rejoice in the gifts your soul shares. In some of us it manifests actively many times throughout the year. Why supress it simply because it also seems to be prevailant at this season.
    I believe that any season, or any reason that would facilitate "People" becoming more humane Souls or, for a moment, more reflective upon the needs, emotions, or well being of their fellow men is a blessed event that should not be set aside. Do not deny yourself, if the Spirit moves your Soul, simply because others misconstrue the reason for "your' season. Enjoy the benevolent feelings and rejoice. Celebrate the presence of the Spirit of Christmas in your fellow man. Rejoice in the opportunity, for a small moment, to put aside differences that would dampen the Spirit and extinguish the warmth shared by Souls mutually moved (for what ever reason... Spiritual, Cultural... or religious) to embrace Souls in heartfelt fellowship. You cannot deny the wonderful feelings of your Spirit any more than you can deny that there is, at least, one time of the year that allows all, who chose to do so, to be more benevolent to each other.
    As a practicing "Personification of the Spirit of Christmas Present", I want to personally wish all the warmest heartfelt holiday season. I also invite everyone to rejoice and celebrate in any way you choose, in any such manner that grants your Soul peace, warmth, joy and feelings of Love.

Merry Christmas.... Happy Chanukah.... Prosperous New Year

           MoonShadow

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
30 posted 2006-12-15 02:22 PM


I expect that Lyra would heartily agree.. Thank you for bringing her back to us for this festive time of the year...
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
31 posted 2010-12-25 12:48 PM


Chipmunks are all around...
and we leave no one behind, do we, Lyra?

Merry Christmas, my Jewish Wonder!


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