children
somehow know
how to create
magic spaces
that echo backwards
through time
through the snow-covered arms, legs, and backs
of their parents and their parent's parents
through the hourglass and out the other side
some stop
and kneel at the edge
of the outer circle
they look deep into the angel
and see that her body
is formed of stars . . .
millions and millions
of tiny stars
clustered
into her form
snow angel courtesy of a little girl at my school
30 comments:
Wise teachers know that wisdom is held by those just born. We regain that wisdom as we approach death.
A lovely snow angel, Steven.
Here we enjoy Christmas warmth. For us in the southern hemisphere, Christmas becomes this odd combination of cicadas and sun along with Old English traditions of pudding and turkey. Still it's fun. merry Christmas, Steven.
Happy festivities, Steven - for once I'm wishing you a peaceful time!
What a heartwarming and magical post! Happy holidays, Steven and thanks for all the wonderful artistry you share here with all of us!
"millions and millions
of tiny stars
clustered
into her form"
all stars,
oh yes, we are!
so beautiful Steven.
happy christmastime to you and yours steven. EnJOY!!!
It's a perfect snow angel. I love the halo.
Hey happy Christmas! Hope your holiday is sublime.
reya - i watched the little girl create it. she knew to create protective circles around the angel. kids walked around the circles - they know!!! thanks for the kind wish! i hope that your holiday was and is and will be lovely. steven
liza - yes we are all stars . . . dusty stars! steven
pauline thanks for being part of the inspiration for my writing and photography!! steven
rachel thanks for the wish!! steven
elisabeth - i remember as a little boy reading a ladybird book about australia and i vividly recall reading about christmas on the beach in australia. i wondered what that would feel like. christmas is entirely to do with the spirit. it doesn't matter what's going on around you really! have a peaceful christmas. steven
dan - i know it as a parabola of re-emerging wisdom from birth to death. steven
an excellent snow angel.
A wonderful poem and then a real treat to see an actual snow angel done by a student. Enchanting. I have enjoyed your posts this past year.
ellen - yeah the girl who made it is a sweet person!! steven
paul - do you miss that kind of thing?!! thanks for your kind comment! steven
I love the poem and the image to go with it. Also, I love your new header. Each one is more beautiful than the one before. Peace and joy to you and yours this season.
thankyou very much joanna. happy christmas!! steven
Speaking of that header... wow. I'm with Joanna. I love your header photos. (My fav was that empty bench by the lake shore.) Care to say what this new one is? Looks like rust, but who knows? You do.
The knowledge of (and desire to make) snow angels seems to be part of some universal childhood experience -- in snowy climes, that is! I love the whimsical beauty you see in this angel.
Your words made me think of something that happened the other day. We have some friends whose mother (or grandmother, in this case) died at the beginning of the week. Also, the mother of the family has been terribly sick with flu. I invited their two girls down to our house to make gingerbread houses and I could hear them talking, excitedly, to each other: It's only a few more days until Christmas!
Bless them!
dan thankyou very much!! each winter the deck railing gets a film of snow and ice. the southern end of the deck gets direct sunlight for part of the day and so the snow and ice layers melt a little bit. i wait for the right time and then take a picture of the sun dribbling through. it seems approrpiate as the sun is only just beginning to return to take a picture and post it here of the sun slowly making its way through the thick snow and ice. steven
hello bee!! thankyou for sharing this lovely little story. i look to children for a lot including the genuine excitement that is unique to them. have a lovely holiday. steven
Yes this does take one back, although where I grew up making an angel was nearly impossible because we did not have nice snow- It was brick hard- wonderful for making ice houses and for hurting your brother in a snow fight but not the lyrical snow of this particular perfect angel...love your words, as always! Happy and Merry!
Your poem is so so lovely, perfect through the centre, or on the edge looking in. What a soulful artist this little girl is!
Merry Christmas :)
linda sue i've lived in southern ontario since i was eight years old so snow angels have always been a part of my experiencing of the canadian winter. i've made a few myself - throughout my canadian life. you've experienced much that i haven't so we'll continue to trade stories!! steven
hello shaista!!! so cool to see you here. i appreciate the way you place your knowing of the words. through the centre or on the edge looking in. when the little girl had finished her angel she asked me to watch it for her. i told her it would be entirely safe. that's when she drew the circles around it. it lasted until the next snow.
happy christmas!!! steven
Steven, wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas filled with love and joy!
Will be in Toronto for a few days next week and looking forward to a much needed break!
Peace!
Rick
You have a magic and sacred seeing soul.
rick thankyou so much! enjoy your peaceful time in toronto. steven
deb - thanks for your thoughtful and kind comment. steven
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