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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas

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Come in from a cold deep walk in the night
Where stars and moon peg indigo with white 
Curl up by the fire or lounge by the tree
Drink from a spicy cup
Here next to me.

Let’s warm up together like birds on a bough
And remember the year we’ve shared until now
Our flights have been wild, our songs wide and clear
May we scout, soar and sing
Even freer next year!




92 comments:

Friko said...

Here's to poetry and the exhilarating flight of a spirit
that is free!

With all best wishes,

Friko

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

are the berries for the birds.

VioletSky said...

Ah Ruth, you have been so poetic of late, and I have not had the words to respond. But today, I do. It is always a pleasure to read your poetry and words and especially to see your photos.
Merry Christmas to you and Don

Susan said...

Curling up near the fire with a cup of something hot and spicy and a good friend to talk to sounds so wonderful! Wish I were doing it right now. Your poem is so lovely.

Those ornaments are fabulous! I didn't know you meant like REAL art! I love those cardinals. So beautiful! Woman of many talents, that's you!

Merry, merry Christmas to you, my dear, dear Friend!

Pauline said...

Hats off to your artistic talents - and thanks for sharing them with us. Happy Christmas to you and yours!

joaop1960@gmail.com said...

Merry Christmas, Ruth - all the best to you and all those you love.

Ruth said...

Friko, free is the only way to be!

Thank you for your best wishes. I return them to you heartfully.

Ruth said...

Ann, definitely! :) They are rosehips, actually, and they are edible (I think this variety is anyway), but I do not know if birds eat them.

Ruth said...

Violetski, thank you for your kindness, and for reading my words. Thank you also for the Christmas wishes. I look forward to spending the coming year with you here and in Toronto.

Ruth said...

Susie my dear, would that we were real neighbors and not cyber ones. I doubt that we would get anything more important done than talking over something spicy, and that would be fine with me.

Thank you about the ornaments. The female was first, and I started getting better with the male. :) I did a flicker for my mother-in-law, and I have two more to do for a certain son and his girlfriend . . .

Merry Christmas to you, David and the whole Ohio clan! Much love.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Pauline, for your kind words, and for your Christmas greeting!

Ruth said...

Thank you, João, I wish the same to you, Paula, João Carlos and João Pedro (I hope I got those right), and to the doggies too.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

What a warm invitation wrapped in verse. I am imagining myself curled up by the tree enjoying a wonderful conversation with an enchanting woman ... Sweet. Happy Holidays dear Ruth.

Ruth said...

Hello, Bonnie, it's my beautiful treat to have you here, my friend. Thank you for your holiday wishes. I look forward to sharing the coming year with you.

Shari said...

Good job on the ornaments! Did you see a special on TV about decorating the White House? A man from Michigan made these great birds from natural materials to be on top of the Christmas trees. One peacock was fantastic. I don't know when it ran. I just saw it on one day and taped it. I will have to reseach and post about it. Your ornaments reminded me. Anyway, I would like to get in on that spicy tea and conversation! Merry Christmas, Ruth and family!

George said...

Thank you so much, my dear friend. May your Christmas be the best of all times, and may the new year find us all in wild flight, soaring and singing once again, pushing the edge of freedom beyond the utmost bounds of our imaginations.

Dan Gurney said...

Such a cheerful blessing! Reminds me of Burl Ives song, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

I especially like your closing couplet:

Our flights have been wild, our songs wide and clear
May we scout, soar and sing
Even freer next year!

May your Christmas be warm and happy.

Ruth said...

Hi, Shari -- thanks! I like tole painting, and I'd like to keep working on it in the year ahead. It's something I can do for homemade gifts. Don cut the ash discs from a fallen tree, I have the paints, so it's just the time, and I enjoy it.

I did not see the TV special about the White House decorating. I've been trying to load some videos from whitehouse.gov, but my internet is driving slowly in the snow this morning. If you post it, I'll find out more. That's cool about the Michigan man making birds!

Thank you for your warm Florida Christmas wishes, my friend.

Ruth said...

Dear George, thank you for your beautiful and reverberating echo of my own wishes. This is what we do with our conjoined spirits, ripple and echo out of the vast reservoir of possibility. It is thrilling, and you only make it better, dear sojourneying friend!

Ruth said...

Dan, I'm glad the blessing cheered you! My mom used to play and sing with Burl Ives when they lived in the same boarding house in NY. How fun that must have been.

Thank you for your kind words and warm Christmas wishes. I anticipate learning much more from you in the coming year, about living in wide and wild freedom.

Arti said...

Thanks for all the poetry all through this year, Ruth. It's always a joy for me to visit your site. A blessed Christmas to you and yours! Stay warm and merry, and keep those poetic imageries coming... 'even freer next year!'

Pat said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful little poem. I so enjoyed it!

Pat said...

I forgot to add, "Have a WONDERFUL Christmas!"

Unknown said...

I am simply in awe .
Once again.

I want to read your poem again and now these?

you paint too...

I want to be you when I grow up.


Love to you Ruth. I am certain our paths have crossed for the goosebump good thus far, and can't begin to express how I wonder at what the new year might bring. Might give and take and affirm and initiate.

I couldn't be a more blessed person at this point in my life. Abundant joy indeed.

love love love to you.

deb

Claudia said...

Merry Christmas, dear Ruth!

PeterParis said...

Thanks for these - as always - nicely selected images and words! Merry Christmas to you and your family, dear Ruth!!

Loring Wirbel said...

And to you as well, a wonderful warming-up poem! Visiting you and Don in October was one of the BEST Christmas presents this year.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas, my dear sweet Marmmy! Those ornaments or gorgeous. So beautiful. I want at least five of them. Wish we were cuddling by the fire together, watching old movies and laughing. I love you.

Julie said...

Hi, Ruth! I love your words and pictures. The decorations are gorgeous. It has been a pleasure to meet you here in blogland, and I look forward to reading more in the coming year. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!

Merry Christmas to you, too!!

ellen abbott said...

Have a Merry Christmas Ruth.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Warmth is what this poem and Christmas message delivers to me, warmth of verse, of fire, of spicy cup, of new year's best wishes, of boughs overflowing with birdsong and blog friendship. Much warmth and joy to you and yours, Ruth, this Christmas holiday.

ds said...

CARDINALS!! And you painted them-- so, so beautiful. The poem is so soothing, perfect. I wish I could share a cup of mulled cider or hot chocolate with you; I raise my mug in salute instead. May you continue to see the beauty in everything, Ruth, and keep your song wide and clear.

A very Merry Christmas to you and all your family. Soar, soar, soar in the coming year. It is a blessing to know you. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours
What a fantastic thought
Here's to a fantastic 2011 for ALL
GM:)

Jane Lancaster said...

Merry Christmas Ruth. Thanks for all the inspiration and your kind support of my sprouting blog! lots of good wishes to you and yours... Jane xx

Babs-beetle said...

A very Merry Christmas to you also!

Paige said...

you have SUCH talent! im happy to have stumbled across your blog! Happy Holidays!

Ruth said...

Arti, my very sensitive literary friend, you couldn't make me happier than by saying you feel joy coming here. I am grateful for what I've learned from you about books, film and art, and I look forward to more next year, besides just knowing you and your kind spirit.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Pat! I wish you and your husband a beautiful Christmas and adventurous new year.

Ruth said...

Deb, you are full of love and inspiration, two traits I admire and treasure when they come in one package. I claim that joy and wonder for you in the year ahead, and while there may be rocky roads as well as smooth, I believe we can always choose joy, something I believe you do. Baskets of love to you, my friend.

Ruth said...

Dear Claudia, the best Christmas to you, Ana, Clara and your husband. I hope you are plenty warm and no problems with the furnace . . .

Ruth said...

Peter, Joyeux Noël and God jul! Thank you and may your year ahead in Paris be beautiful. (And then we get to witness and share it . . . )

Ruth said...

Thank you, Loring. I will never, ever want to get the image and sound of you gobbling your good-byes to the turkeys out of my mind and ears. I wish you, Carol and Abby a brilliant new year!

Ruth said...

Sweet Lesley, have we ever been apart at Christmas? I will try not to think about that. Thank goodness for cell phones, g-video-chat, skype and mail services . . . speaking of which . . . would just two ornaments be enough . . .?

:)

Ruth said...

Julie, I am very good we have met as well, and I hope that if and when you come back to Michigan, you will look us up and see some rustic barn wood in person! A very merry Christmas to you and yours in the Netherlands (and in Michigan too . . . ).

Ruth said...

Hello, Kanmuri! Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Kanmuri!

Ruth said...

Thank you, Ellen. I trust you and your family will find much to be joyful about, in spite of your very recent loss.

Ruth said...

Lorenzo, I'm glad you feel what I wished to convey, for meeting you in our blogs this year has been truly wonderful. I look forward to much more learning, humor and beauty from you in your marvelous posts and your comments here. A warm and happy Christmas to you and your family in Spain.

Ruth said...

DS, my dear friend, what would I do without your kindnesses? You just fill up my heart. It cheers me to no end knowing you are there. Thank you so much, and a very Merry Christmas to you, your husband, and to the CS. Here's to a beautiful year ahead of us! (chinking of mugs . . . and then hugs)

Ruth said...

Hear, hear, Gwei Mui!! A beautiful 2011 to you!

Ruth said...

Jane, you have been a very welcome new light in blogland for me. As you unveil your many talents and heart songs for Pam, I will keep being enriched. Thank you!

Ruth said...

Thank you, Babs, and to you and Mo. I can't read your words without remembering you eating something like pumpkin pie a few years ago and wishing me a Merry Humphmas with pie in your mouth . . .

:)

Ruth said...

Hello and welcome, Paige! Thank you for such a kind first visit, and Happy Holidays to you!

Let me know if you post something at your blog . . .

kenju said...

Merry Christmas!!

RoSe said...

Beautiful and lovely, thank you Ruth for your words, your photos and all you share from the heart.

Deborah said...

'Where stars and moon peg indigo with white'. A true poet wrote this lovely imagery.

Merry Christmas, Ruth - and may the coming year be brimful of happiness and contenment for you and your family. Keep writing and writing and writing. You are so very good.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Dana, Merry Christmas!

Ruth said...

Hi, Judy, Merry Christmas!

Ruth said...

Hello and thank you, RoSe. I appreciate your kindness. Merry Christmas to you in one of my very favorite places on earth. Enjoy.

Ruth said...

Thank you so much, Deborah. A very Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for your very kind encouragement, always. The best to you and your beautiful writing too.

The Solitary Walker said...

Have a great Christmas, and here's to more wild flights next year!

Daniel Chérouvrier said...

Joyeux Noël.
We've a true white Xmas with many "glogs" ( spicy vin chaud)in Sweden.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Robert, and may you fly wildly in hikes, treks and poems in the year ahead !

Ruth said...

Merci, Daniel. Yes, you have had quite the weather. Please do keep warm with some spicy vin chaud. Joyeux Noël.

christina said...

merry
merry
christmas, friend.
xo

cathyswatercolors said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours. I really enjoy our chats and mostly reading you wonderful blogs.
xoxo cathy

sonia a. mascaro said...

A Very Merry Christmas, Ruth!
I wish you and yours a Wonderful New Year too!
Cheers!
Sonia.

Julie B. [Holland] said...

Merry Merry ! Julie in HOlland :)

Shaista said...

Ruuuuth!!!!
Merriest of Christmassy Christmases to you, beloved one.
Light the candles and let them burn bright so I can see them way across the oceans, shining true into the night xx

gma said...

Warmest wishes to you and yours.

Ruth said...

Christina, Merry Christmas, and much beauty to you in the present, and in the year to come.

Ruth said...

Dear Cathy, I love our conversations too, and your presence here, and your beautiful, colorful paintings. xoxo Merry Christmas, my friend.

Ruth said...

Sonia, thank you so much, Boa Festas and Feliz Natal to you in São Paulo!

Ruth said...

Thank you, Julie, and Prettige kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! I hope that's right. :)

Ruth said...

Shaista, my dearrr! You bring so much warmth across the cold ocean, which doesn't diminish it one bit, in fact I think your wishes got warmer upon arrival. Merry Christmas to you, my true-light friend. xoxo

Ruth said...

Thank you, Gemma. May you feel much love and joy this holiday and in the coming year. I look forward to more of your beautiful art in the days ahead.

Jill of All Trades said...

Beautiful...Merry Christmas.

mystic rose said...

Merry Christmas, Ruth! Wishing you just such cozy winter as this! :)
Love.

C.M. Jackson said...

beautiful--hope you have a wonderful holiday--thank you for the wonderful wishes---Cheryl

Anonymous said...

such a beautiful blog!
Merry Christmas!!

Marcie said...

Beautiful!! Wishing you and yours all the best. Hope it's been merry..merry!

Ruth said...

Hello, Jill, and thank you. Merry Christmas.

Ruth said...

Thank you for that, Mystic, I wish you much, much love.

Ruth said...

Cheryl, thank you. It has been wonderful so far, quite quiet and simple, just the way I like it.

Ruth said...

Hello and welcome, Bohemian Single Mom, and Merry Christmas! I like your blog too.

Ruth said...

Dear Marcie, thank you for your beautiful wishes. It has been very merry and flow-y.

GailO said...

I am finally finding some time to visit my blogging friends to belatedly wish them a merry and bright Christmas season and a wonderfully joyous New Year! I am finding that at each blog I visit I receive a little gift...Here I find your poem...and discover that you are a crafty artist too!:) I collect bird ornaments and these are as beautiful as any of them!

Hope your Christmas was the merriest of merry dear Ruth!

Margaret said...

I adore your painting. Very fine. You have an artistic soul, of course you can paint as well. I thank you for triggering my interest in poetry... As you know, it has truly helped blossom a whole new avenue of communication in my own family. The poem "stack" below is too much for me, I fear. Will, however, got into it and "sees" things I didn't. But the whole concept was so very intriguing and fun.

Ginnie Hart said...

Ruth! When did you paint these??? And against what wood planks are they hanging??? I want to know exactly where they are so I can picture them. What a lovely Christmas post. You really are a poet in so many wonderful ways, dear sister.

rauf said...

with my fading vision i thought they are peacock feathers Ruth. Very beautiful paintings they are.

Enjoy the season Ruth.

freefalling said...

Happy Christmas, Rootie.
Stay merry and bright.

Jeanie said...

And to you, although somewhat belatedly. Much joy for the New Year.