T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE

Wendy and I drifted over to Gramercy Park for the Annual Christmas eve Carol sing-along by the St. George Episcopal Choir, and we did just that.

When it was over, we drifted back to my apartment to eat and drink, and shared reading aloud "Dinah, The Christmas Whore" from David Sedaris' hilarious book "Holiday On Ice", then drifted over to the Catholics around the corner to sit in on "Oh Holy Night" by their choir, then to the street, where we hugged, and drifted apart.

Christmas Light
by May Sarton

When everyone had gone
I sat in the library
With the small silent tree,
She and I alone.
How softly she shone!
And for the first time then
For the first time this year,
I felt reborn again,
I knew loves presence near.
Love distant, love detached
And strangely without weight,
Was with me in the night
When everyone had gone
And the garland of pure light
Stayed on, stayed on.

"Christmas Light" by May Sarton from Collected Poems. 

© W. W. Norton, 1993. thanks to Poets.Org.

LIGHT and SHADOW

The City was a ghost town around my neighborhood last night.  Everyone who could, left to spend Christmas elsewhere.  I'm usually gone for this, but since I'm not traveling to my Massachusetts 'family' this year, I am here.

~altered post card by me~

 

Scant, to no lights on most buildings, the lack of traffic, and only the occasional person even at the grocery store, casts a lonely shadow over all, enhanced by rain, and the unusual warmth.

~across the street in front of the 9/11 memorial~

As I wheeled my little cart ahead of me, in some stretches I was reminded of moonscapes, and of collapsed civilizations in others. 

~upscale building on 23rd Street~

 

Although I appreciate the silence, it felt unreal.  In the center of town, where all the stores are open 24 hours till 9 O'clock Christmas eve, crowds of consumers, and plenty of lights abound.  I avoid it.

~card from my Massachusetts 'family'~

I got some special cat food, and dried salmon treats for the kitty who lives at the corner store.  She's lovely, gentle, and really enjoyed the gifts.  I rather wish I had a kitty again, but will remain as I am for now, and only dream of baskets of furry dears.  Meanwhile, I'm re-reading one of  my favorite cat tales:

~"The Fur Person" by May Sarton~

"A gentleman cat becomes a 'fur person' when he is truly loved by a human being."

MARKING TIME

In The Northern Hemisphere
Eight more days to Christmas

 Only four more days to Solstice:

 The balance point of dark and light, the shortest day and longest night.  Honored with light, the sun returns.

 

Today also marks the 'beginning of the seven-day celebration of Saturnalia.  Romans made and exchanged gifts, decorated their homes with holly and ropes of garland, and carried wreaths of evergreen branches to honor the god Saturn', but whatever you worship, may you be happy.