Advent Calendar--December 7

I grow against all reason
Against all odds
I am nothing
That you believe me to be.

Red as a rose
But not even really a flower
Though I seem to bloom
In the dead of winter

I don't obey the rules
But I don't care.
I choose my own time to shine
My own way to express myself

I am a lovely Christmas beauty
Blooming in the snow
The perfect sign of hope
When all around seems dead and gone.

What am I?


(Yesterday's answer: A teddy bear.)

Advent Calendar: December 6

I'm fashioned after wild fur
And ferocious growls
But teeth and claws
Have been replaced

Now I'm all stuffing
Fluffed fur
And glassy eyes
Made for snuggles

All the fight in me is gone
I've moved from den
To Christmas tree
To child's bedroom

The perfect companion
Rounded ears and all
For a sleeping boy
In train pajamas.

Who am I?

Advent Calendar--December 5

Now that we're five days into this, I thought I'd let you know how the kids are responding. 

THEY LOVE IT!

They especially like the idea that each one is a riddle, though they've easily guessed all except Day three (that took a bit of thinking, even with the Clara clue). 

More than likely, y'all are checking out the poetry and gagging (I read the verses through, and I know they aren't great, believe me). Then again, you aren't the intended audience. My kids are. And they like goofy words and phrases--and rhyme--so I'm writing in a style that is unusual for me, for the most part. 

Besides, I'm in a rush each day. And the poem today reflects that feeling, I think. It's also the easiest poem yet. Here's what will be waiting in the drawer for my kids today:

My work is finally winding down

(Believe me, I can't wait)

I'll soon be done, be on my own

Relaxing with my mate.

My bags are almost fully packed

We're all a little tense

To see the stockings stuffed and tacked

To give out all the presents.

But I still have my tasks to do

I cannot rest quite yet:

Mend my suit and shine each shoe

And get my beard curls set

I'll polish all the jingle bells

And feed the reindeer eight

End up the list--which elf can spell?--

And ready for the date.

It's such a rush this time of year

But I don't mind at all

For I'll be eating brauts and beer

Before the New Year calls.

Who am I?

Advent Calendar--December 4

These humans rush around me

Running, yelling, buying, wrapping

What must all their rushing be

Mailing, panic, shopping, yapping

Yet I know where the magic is

Sitting in my bed of snowflakes

In skies so blue they’re hard to miss,

In sparkling snow, in icy bough breaks

Crackling up around my head.

I listen with my frozen ears

To softest music, kinds words said

If one is silent, then one hears.

I may be frozen, but I feel

My woody arms touch chilly sky

My senses know the world that’s real

While most ignore it, seeking lies.

The music of the universe

Of God and heaven, all around

It finds me on its soft disperse

And vibrates through my snowy ground.

Who am I?

December 3 of My Advent Calendar

So far the poems have gone over pretty well. My two kids pulled them out of the drawers while I was gone to the beach, and with each one, instead of putting in a title, I just gave them the poem and asked, at the end, "Who am I?"

They guessed correctly both times--though with the first one they guessed "Rudolph," so I gave it to them--and they are looking forward to poem #3. If you like, I can list it the same way I do with them, but I doubt any of the poems will be too cryptic for you not to know what the object is...

Still, I'll try it for today.

Even better, if you can guess the positive attribute I'm trying to identify through the object, that would earn you even more points. Feel free to try the same with the first two poems, as well. Each one is dealing with a (very gentle) message. My kids tend to like those, and my son got the second one right away, though the reindeer one from Day 1 didn't occur to either one.

Here it is, #3. Let me know what you think it is. (I warn you now, though, this poem is for my kids, so it won't be hard in the slightest).

I am more than wood
And bright paint
More than trims
And fur
And buttons
Glued on my glistening jacket

I am not a mere peacock
All for show

Look beyond the foppish braiding
Past decoration
My use,
Too long neglected,
Can break what you cannot.

I am stronger than you think
Even as Clara discovered.

What am I?


Did I tell you it would be easy? That last part gives it away completely. (Funny how I act like you are responding, though I'm still writing this post and haven't yet published it. I am so silly!) Beyond the item, what is its message?

December 2: Gifts

The prettiest ones lurk under the tree

Dressed in the latest style 

Awaiting the morning when children will see

Will open, will glow, will smile

But do not be fooled by the glorious wrapping

Or the price tag, or glittery glow,

The best ones aren't good because of their trappings

The good ones have much more, you know

They come, not in ribbons, or fluffity fluff

But in handholds, in soft, kindly words,

In giving what truly is needed, not stuff

Like the toy of the year, how absurd!

So do not be fooled by the fanciest paper

Or give only stuff you can buy

Reach out and give truly, and be a good neighbor;

The warmth in your heart will show why.

Courtesy of Freestockphotos.com

December 1: Reindeer

My coat has been brushed over 

And over

For days

Harnesses checked

Bells re-stitched

Onto newly shined leather

My hairy master

Has shown us our path

Again and again

No time to get lost 

That night

Preparation is everything.