Because we followed an evening star,
here, to our new slimmed-down home
among the stolid mountains,
the high jewel lakes, the anxious highway,
the lordly logging trucks,
the life-giving waterfalls of Holland Creek,
the pushy mufflers of Ford 150s,
parked by the shining shops on First,
the lineup at the cinnamon-bun bakery,
gluten-free at Wild Poppy,
the slick black canopy of Salamander Books,
nests of knick-knacks at the general store,
and the old Temperance Hotel, now a gallery
with framed impressions of the Salish Sea;
on to Transfer Beach, its gritty history,
and a constellation of boats,
their masts and sails defined by strings of lights —
the way Christmas puts all things in high relief —
then back to the levitating suburbs,
light the gas fireplace, ease the yearly hollowness
with mulled wine — bury some worries
of the temporary kind.
This year, family-absent, we’ll celebrate
with local friends, share the family stories,
our speckled histories.
We’ll chatter up the joys, modulate the sorrows —
loving reunions, unsolvable divisions —
all that’s real and never far from pain or laughter.
And I’ll prattle on about last-years perfect Christmas,
then recall the one before,
I saw my partner weeping.
Thank you for taking me back to memories of my home island, Stephen. I live on the prairies but spent the first half of my life in various island locales. Your descriptions of Ladysmith makes me nostalgic for that unique island village atmosphere. And, like you, I feel the paradox of Christmas joys and sorrows; inescapable for old sentimentalists like us. Merry anyway.
Thank you so much, Valerie! Happy to know of this connection, and thank you, always, for reading. May your Christmas contain far more joys than sorrows.
Thanks Stephen for sharing your thoughts and words of wisdom/reflection this past year. May you have a blessed Christmas and an enjoyable New Year.
Don
Thank you, Don! Thank you, as always, for reading.
What Don said, Stephen, All the best to you for this season and the New Year!
Thank you, Kirk! Truly appreciate you taking time to read these posts.
“celebrate…all that is real and never far from pain or laughter.”
Such a powerful truth.
Wishing you joy in your celebrations.
Thank you for giving me joy in sharing your gift for soulful prose.
Thank you, Kellie! You are deeply appreciated.
Always down for a poem. Thank for obliging so eloquently.
Thank you, Tiffany. You make me happy.
Stephen, as usual expressed so descriptive and evocative. Understanding the gap that is felt by people missing. Wishing you to be wrapped with love from those that are near this season!!!!
You warm my heart, Kathy. Thank you. We all have people missing, …wishing you to be “wrapped with love” as well.
Having lived in Duncan and Chemainus for about 4 years, I remember well Christmas time on the Island. The annual parade of decorated ships at Maple Bay and Ladysmith was unique and fun. Those cinnamon buns sound really good about now. Thanks for the memories you stirred Stephen!
Sheldon, thanks for sharing your own memories!
The unpredictability of following a star….!
Always, thanks Sam.
I wish we could be there for Christmas!! We will see you in Jan at least. Love you <3
How I wish the same!! See you later in January.
Thank you for the stroll
among the
stars…
a little joy, a little
laughter
leaving the harsher bits behind
a little something sweet
and a gift
of friendship
makes a season bright
Thank you Stephen
Best Wishes <3
And thank you, Tamara! So appreciate your thoughtful (and poetic) responses.