I marvelled at the set of angel lights at the the beginning of each block, with another set of angels at the end, as I joined my friends at a pub.
It seemed right these angels should be here, watching over the revelry. As I later walked a block down in the early morning hours to catch a cab, I recalled my thoughts on angels as child.
Sometimes I had nightmares and I was too afraid to fall asleep. My Mom told me not to worry because God’s angels were always watching over me. Still, I looked to the corners of my room afraid because the corners were the darkest places.
Eventually, I began to imagine angels were there in these corners guarding me as I slept. If I woke up afraid I’d look to the corners of my bedroom ceiling and feel safe. Sometimes I dreamed I could see these celestial beings watching over me.
Going home that night in the cab I gazed at the angels made of lights, four of them guarding a street; I hoped the night ended safely for all.
How should we serve tea? Keep house, give birth, turn —
On those not good enough? Not with us ranking.
For learning’s life’s opportunities earned.
Should our daughters be haughty and learn —
Their goal (as ours), to marry well praying,
Teach us teacher, we’re ready to learn.
Are we moralcenters? Ignoring sperns,
Spouse with many beds, mistresses stringing.
For learning’s life’s opportunities earned.
Our value, our husband, children, in turn —
Their children, their marriages bliss bringing?
Teach us teacher, we’re ready to learn,
For learning’s life’s opportunities earned.
—–
Credit: Crosscurrents Writing Gender – Quote from Virginia Woolf
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Villanelle
“A Villanelle is a nineteen-line poem consisting of a very specific rhyming scheme: aba aba aba aba aba abaa.
The first and the third lines in the first stanza are repeated in alternating order throughout the poem, and appear together in the last couplet (last two lines).”
Today’s prompt is to use a quote to begin our writing.
———
The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; and to win it without a struggle were perhaps to win it without honor. If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved. – Samual Smiles
Finally, our prompt for the day (optional, as always). Have you ever flipped to the index of a book and found it super interesting? Well, I have (yes, I live an exciting life!) For example, the other day I pulled from my shelf a copy of on old book that excerpts parts of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s journals. I took a look at the index, and found the following entry under “Man”:
For further information please see NaPoWriMo. My source is The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors, 7th Ed.
——
About sufferring they were never wrong,
A little black thing among the snow,
I sit wondering if there is somewhere that is home.
Ah! changed and cold, how changed and very cold!
I’m merely looking for a warm place to sleep,
To dream of Air and Angels, not to experience bitter frost,
I’m An old, mad, blind, despised,and dying King,
Every where around the world I have seen,
—–
In control of my own life, remembering —
A women’s face with Nature’s own hand painted.
I miss my Queen, Behold her, single in the field.
She’s gone on even when I cried:
Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defy.
But I jest, I could not stop her death,
Now I sit here in this park praying,
Come down, O Christ, and help me! Reach thy hand,
But this Darkling Thrush is on his own so frozen, he is burning hot,
——-
Seeing her: Drink to me only with thine eyes —Faerie Queene,
Farewell: thou art to dear for my possessing.
My Far-off, most secret, and inviolate Rose,
There is a Folly of Being Comforted by your memories,
I Go and Catch A Falling Star in the bitter night,
Hoping it will warm these decaying bones,
Life went by quickly, so many Good-Morrows,
Those who know me would say:
He never expected much only prayed — A Hollow M[a]n,
How vainly me themselves amaze.
—–
[I] would drink by myself had I some money,
I have no name I would think, as I Look into my Glass,
In this strange labyrinth [of life] how shall I turn?
Oh Rose, thou art sick, I couldn’t save you,
O Wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being return,
I’ve been trapped in winter so long, I forget, in Pains of Sleep,
Past and Present, blur together and Splendor Falls,
I’m Standing aloof in giant ignorance,
Starlight night, the only warmth, as my breath shows in the cold.
——-
Ten years ago it seemed impossible,
That the world, my loved ones, would forget me,
The long love that in my thought doth harbor,
They say that hope is happiness and you and me will be together soon,
We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon,
[I am the] Hollow [man]; Weep with me, all that you read,
You that with allegory’s curious frame,
Don’t miss me, as in the night I freeze,
Thoughts ventured to her,
Why should I blame her she filled my days,
And so it seems she fills, my heavenly thoughts, at rest.
I have chosen each gift and I’ve done so carefully. I hope you like them and use it to treat yourself.
I have written down each name on tags of gold that gleam. I’ve tied on the tags with ribbon that glitters in red beam.
Every present inside the gift bags are wrapped in gold and silver wrapping paper. Or placed gently within tissue paper, of Christmas colours galore.
And tissue paper light as a feather is leaning out of every gift bag. In a crushed rose of tissue colour, in gift bags that are special;
This year there’s a reindeer theme and their is plaid and reindeer horns used; for every good girl and boy, there is the finest chocolate to ever coat your tongue.
There are your favourite presents, the ones you hoped you’d find. There are also receipts should you change your mind.
And the Christmas lights shine white and glow off ribbons of red and gold. And angels made of crystal and glass dance on green branches soft.
And balls of deep-red and gold float inside the tree, while scenes of the nativity fill gaps inbetween.The Christmas Eve night has been set, and the presents rest beneath the tree.
We are only waiting for the night of magic to come. Peace on earth goodwill towards all, health and happiness abound.
We are only pausing but for the coming of a Saviour, Christmas Joy. We are looking forward to the Nativity where something unexpected happened.
Where a baby boy who was a heavenly King came to live among the poor and meek. While humanity expected a regal birth.
He showed us all that joy comes not from expectations, from silver, gold, or expensive things — joy comes from within, in your heart and it believes.
Mandibelle16 
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