Shooting Stars and Van Gogh - Haibun - December 23, 2014

I don' t know how old I was when I first heard the story of the Star over Bethlehem ... but I remember the year I believed that the star would appear because it was Christmas Eve.  I was around four years old.  We were at Grandma's for Christmas that year along with my cousins from Chicago.  As we lay on pallets between the Christmas tree and the potbelly stove, someone told the Christmas Story.

I already knew that Santa came flying over the house with his reindeer, I'd heard that on the radio, but this story about a brilliant star was marvelous.

Someone suggested we go out to look for Santa and wait for the star to appear.  Although my mother was very reluctant to let me go with the big kids ... I got bundled up and went outside.

The sky was hazy but the stars shone through the haze haloing them.  It was cold and silent in the snow.  I saw hundreds of stars but neither the Star nor Santa's sled ... but then I thought that was only right.  Miracles even then in my child's mind couldn't be forced.

deep winter's night
seeking a shooting star
Christmas miracle

(c) G.s.k. '14

Linked to Haibun Thinking and Carpe Diem Haiku Kai's Seven Days of Christmas

                                            

Christmas Stocking - Sparkling Stars - December 19, 2014

the stocking
sweet dreamy poppet

hangs on the mantle
awaiting Christmas day
to fulfill his bright karma

a stocking
alone on the mantle
awaiting gifts

© G.s.k. ‘14

Christmas stockings

hanging above the fireplace

awaiting presents

© Chèvrefeuille

Written for Cape Diem Haiku Kai  - Sparkling Stars

Time Glass Challenge - Renga - December 15, 2014

Winter Wonderland

Christmas is near

in the sleepy Alpine vale

shops glitter with lights 

under low heavy grey skies

there’s a promise of snow

in that valley

among bare trees in the park

children play

their smiling elders watch on

as the first snow flakes fall

soon white

the slide and the swings

abandoned

kids run home for their sleds

some build funny snow men

Santa on the corner

rings his bell by a cauldron

asking for alms

to buy blankets and soup

for the poor and homeless

cold winter beauty

trees frosted in hoary white

the pond is like glass

an old man sells chestnuts

wrapped in brown paper bags

carolers sing

under the glow of lamp light

in crystal voices 

of good kings and shepherds

and white winter wonderlands 

 Christmas is near

kids build funny snow men

Santa asks for alms

an old man sells chestnuts

carolers sing winter songs *

© G.s.k. ‘14

* and ending variation .. what do you think?

Christmas is near
trees frosted in hoary white
shops glitter with lights
carolers sing winter songs
of winter wonderlands

This week’s challenge is to  write a chained poem (Renga) of maximum eight (8) stanza inspired on the image and the prompt WINTER WONDERLAND within 24 hours.  Linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.