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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Fantasy of a Flathead Shovel


Little Boy with Big Shovel


The boy with a flat-head shovel
lifts leaves
up
and down they slide
a waterfall of brown leaves
flowing back into the
big brown pile of leaves
his father
builds with his back turned

The flat-head shovel dwarfs
the little boy who tries again
lifts leaves
up
and down they slide
a waterfall of brown leaves

Not a leaf falls into the tall can
that dwarfs the little boy
nor does his father know
raking more brown leaves
into the big deep pile
with his back turned
to the drama
of a little boy dreaming
the leaves won’t fall
back this time
but will fall in



________________________


Once in a Blue Moon

It was a blue moon last night, the second full moon in the month of December.
Today I try to think of all that has passed this year, and the only parts I remember are the extraordinary ones. I don't remember all the meetings I went to, all the chores I did, nothing special about the ordinary things.

I remember the day I knelt in the beach sand and prayed the 7th Step prayer with a sponsee to the tune of ocean waves.

I remember the long ride all the way up California to the Oregon border and camping in the big trees on the coast. I hiked with one of my daughters and watched my other daughter blacken marshmallows over the fire.

I remember the Best of Show ribbon hanging onto a flower arrangement I had made for the mid-state fair.

I remember the moment my poem was read as the winning poem at the Central Coast Writers Conference.

I remember the first night at the mental hospital, surrounded by people with serious mental illnesses, while all I suffered from was depression. It made me grateful to have depression. I remember weeping on the floor of the closet and praying out loud the first three Steps. I remember the peace that gave me.

I remember hearing myself read my poetry on the local NPR station, surrounded by my dear friends, all of us glued in to a tiny clock radio because it was the only radio in the house. (I just remembered that I should buy a boom box one of these days.)

I remember many poems pouring out of me this year. I remember my poetry reading in the small city to the south of us. It was glorious.

I remember these times, which are the equivalent of once-in-a-blue-moon stuff. It has been a great year, full of joy, sorrow and fear, and everything in between.

I hope your year was memorable, and filled with the love of family and friends.

18 comments:

the walking man said...

I am happy for you Just Chris, that you have found a balance and that it isn't so narrow as to be easily upset. That is a real accomplishment.

RNSANE said...

It sounds like, all in all, it was a very good year. Let's hope for only the best in 2010!!

steveroni said...

My year was (is) the most memorable out of 76 of them. It was..."full of joy, sorrow and fear, and everything in between.", as you wrote.

How wonderful, these years, where we are allowed to have so much fun blogging--while we continue to grow and learn to "Let Go, Let God". I am so glad I know you, "recovering poet"...

Please have a JOYFUL, joy-filled 2010. Hopefully we ALL can join in that.

Love and PEACE,
Steve E

Brian Miller said...

sounds like you have some grreat memories of this year and beyond. wishing you a magical new year, much like the boy with his leaves...

Anonymous said...

Those were definately some once in a blue moon moments. Thanks for giving me something to ponder. Happy New Year!

big Jenn said...

We may only run across someone with so much talent and inner beauty once in a blue moon! jeNN

Syd said...

Chris, great stuff to remember. Thanks for being here in 2009. I look forward to reading more poems and thought-provoking prose in 2010. Happy New Year.

Tabitha.Montgomery said...

OMG Chris Enchanted...You really struck me with the " once in a blue moon " stuff here..and it's wonderful to read how poetic and rich your life is-even through the tears and depression.Your spriit is valiant and your creativity and gratitude inspiring beyond words!
I love your blog and the blogship you share with us.Keep staying true to yourself - and thank you always for sharing :)

happy new year !
xo

Lou said...

Remembering only the good times is my way of avoiding. I'm trying to do a more balanced look back this year...but still it was mostly wonderful!

I'm so glad you are sharing your God given talents here.

Akannie said...

Oh, Chris!!!!

Gaily we can skip into the new year together!! Hand in hand...you put my hand in yours, and together we can do what we could never do alone.

I am so glad to know you, wonderful woman. I love your poetry and I love your heart! Happy New Year!!

One Prayer Girl said...

I, too, tend to remember the once-in-a-blue-moon-stuff.

God bless and happy new year.

PG

Beth Niquette said...

Wonderful poetry! And a Happy New Year to you, dear girl! I pray the coming year will be filled with amazing adventures, laughter and joy! May you have strength through the hard times and peace throughout this new year.

Karen said...

Happiest, happy New Year, Chris! You have wonderful times behind and ahead of you! Thanks for being my new poet-friend in California!

Alice Audrey said...

Wow, that really was quite the year for you. You make it, and the boy with his leaves, so vivid.

Tall Kay said...

My memories of this year have all been ones of sadness. Thanks for reminding me that it really wasn't ALL sad. I had a few of those blue moon moments too...

Actually, there were probably way more good things that happened, than bad things. Wow...this is just what I needed to read tonight. You're my angel again :o)

Mariana Soffer said...

Nice post, I really liked the poem, and after you finished, it is very nice what you say, well I mainly wanted to wish you all the best for the next year, and why not for all the rest remaining to come.

Love to my new friend
M

Larry said...

Just dropped by to say Happy New Year to yopu Chris and hope you have many many more.


Two Lovers



Again Happy new year

Anonymous said...

The futility of shoveling the leaves was unnoticed by the boy.

I think I understand, it's like the monotony of routine.

Once in a blue moon....yes that too. You write nicely.

Secretia