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Katie Scruggs Galloway's avatar

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..."

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Graeme Outerbridge's avatar

Yours or mine?^^^^

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Vince Roman's avatar

This is so gorgeous thanks for sharing

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Jan Austin-Hicken's avatar

Those bastards might burn the country to the ground, but they’ll never be able to take poetry from our hearts.

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Carle Groome's avatar

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.

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Janice Laz- Romo's avatar

She has always been one of my favorite authors. Thanks for sharing 💜

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Nancy L's avatar

Beautiful .... I felt a part of this writing .... thanks, and Happy Holidays!

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Bobbe Nunes's avatar

The way you say it in a voice that rings exquisitely timeless and true, thank you.

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Gail Trowbridge's avatar

Gorgeous

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Dian Parker's avatar

Tender and lovely. Happy Holidays to you. 🎄💚❤️🎄

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Anita Söderman's avatar

Joyce Carol Oates, the inimitable, the well worthy of any prize, always got it down to perfection....

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Tim Flood's avatar

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.

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Cristina Ros's avatar

Thank you so much, I very appreciate your writing. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year for you.

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Jim Hayes's avatar

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.

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jpickle777's avatar

The last few lines are especially poignant. Thank you, Joyce Carol Oates, for sharing so much of yourself with us.

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