Precisely what you can say about the season, the reason for this occasion, is that the celebration is your own, to cherish or ignore—so acknowledge that, with a toast of eggnog…with or without the spirits.
A poem whose loveliness is not its own. That loveliness is yours, Joyce. All yours, shared with us. Thank you for being you and unwrapping yourself as an undying gift to us.
I will return to this poem every Christmas season. "that is love, all the effort of joy, love—
torn open too quickly by a child’s fingers. And there suddenly is your father, young again..."
Yours or mine?^^^^
This is so gorgeous thanks for sharing
Those bastards might burn the country to the ground, but they’ll never be able to take poetry from our hearts.
Precisely what you can say about the season, the reason for this occasion, is that the celebration is your own, to cherish or ignore—so acknowledge that, with a toast of eggnog…with or without the spirits.
She has always been one of my favorite authors. Thanks for sharing 💜
Beautiful .... I felt a part of this writing .... thanks, and Happy Holidays!
The way you say it in a voice that rings exquisitely timeless and true, thank you.
Gorgeous
Tender and lovely. Happy Holidays to you. 🎄💚❤️🎄
Joyce Carol Oates, the inimitable, the well worthy of any prize, always got it down to perfection....
A poem whose loveliness is not its own. That loveliness is yours, Joyce. All yours, shared with us. Thank you for being you and unwrapping yourself as an undying gift to us.
Thank you so much, I very appreciate your writing. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year for you.
This is so beautiful Joyce. It brought tears of nostalgia and hope to my eyes. Thank you for sharing it with on this special day.
The last few lines are especially poignant. Thank you, Joyce Carol Oates, for sharing so much of yourself with us.