Thursday, February 24, 2011

College Poetry Assignment #4

This week I had to do a poem that took some sort of physical shape. I decided on doing a tree...

Silence

The

silence

of

the

early

morning

just before

their footsteps

clamber down the

flight of stairs: Soon

they tear into the bright

colored packages of red and

green while exultations of unbridled

joy echo against the garland-strung walls.

Someone will turn on the music

now, and we all join in on the chorus,

reminding ourselves that without a doubt

the most important part of the day is spending

it with the people we love. Hugs and kisses freely

exchanged with the people who traveled from far away

and everyone is smiling, everyone is happy, everyone is loved.

And still, throughout the bustle of the season, my absolutely favorite

moment is the first one. That perfectly silent one

where the house hasn’t yet realized the time. The treelight

flickers warmly, reflecting off the shiny wrapped boxes below,

holding treasures yet to be discovered. All the children safely nestled,

as the poem says… and while they dream I have a chance to relish in the quiet

calm that doesn’t last for very long – but long enough for my lungs to fill with the

breath and

beauty of

Christmas

morning.

Jessica Baldwin

©2011

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