PoetryFriday is here!
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Last week, Anastasia Suen offered a wonderful summary of Poetry Friday, from Mary Lee Hahn: A gathering of links to posts featuring original or shared poems, or reviews of poetry books.
As your host this week, I’m gathering those links at the bottom of this post.
Dear Santa…
“What do you want for Christmas, Mom?”
I remember asking my mother this very important question.
Every year, her answer was the same: “Good kids.”
I get it now. Somewhere along the way, we stop making lists of the presents we want – and we focus on the gifts we wish to give.
Here’s my Christmas Wish List (in no particular order):
A salve for my broken-hearted son who loved his first pup over the rainbow bridge this week.
A truce between my dad and technology when he finally surrenders his daily banking routine.
Joyful time for my mom to watch her great-grands.
A crisp, cool three hour ride for my husband, “pulling” me and his friends on a 50-miler.
A new love song for my other son to master on his guitar- for his fiance .
Full hearts for my sisters that they may know my deep love for each of them.
Courage and confidence for my daughter-in-law to be fully who she is.
Peace of mind and heart for my friend as she accompanies her mom through memory-loss.
For my nieces, nephews, and their fiances – as they countdown the days to marking marriages – laughter, humility, and steadfast faith in unity.
For an aching earth: Rest.
For an aching world: Peace and Light.
This is a tall order, Santa. I know cashmere and perfume would be a heckuva lot easier.
If I can’t have these, I’ll just ask for good kids.
sleep in heavenly peace
a Christmas wish list
for the chimes, a soft wind
for the wind, a falcon soaring
for the falcon, a slow mouse
for the field mouse, a quick end
for a father’s tears,
the soft crown of his little girl’s head
for his little girl, heavenly dreams
©draft, Patricia J. Franz
photos courtesy of pixabay
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
This is one your best
AND??? (wink, wink)
That wistful Christmas wish poem is lovely, Patricia. Thank you for rounding up.
Feeling alot of wist these days!
Tender!
thx, Kath
Thanks, Patti! So moving…
No YOU are!
Absolutely beautiful, Patricia. Even though my situation is different…no living mother, no daughter-in-law, you’ve captured a sense of my longing in this season — especially for peace and rest for the world. Our poor world is so bruised right now. Thank you for hosting PF and reviving such a great introduction for our new friends.
I hope we don’t ever lose our longing, Linda.
Oh, Patricia – how have you captured so much life in these brief words? Beyond beautiful. And your poem – wow. Thank you for sharing so much meaning here for this season and thanks also for hosting! (I just have a signpost post pointing here this week – the artsyletters elves got very busy this week!)
Thank you, Robyn!
Beautiful post!! Your poem is so moving. Thanks for rounding us up this week.
Thank you, Jama.
Patricia, I can’t tell you how often I had a similar conversation with my parents. Every time I asked my dad what he wanted for Christmas or a birthday, his only response, “Just for you to be a good girl.” You’d think I was a terror! : ) I hope beyond hope that you get every one of your wishes from Santa!
I’m cashing in on all those years of “good girl” stuff now!
Your poems are pertinent reminders of what remains important about Christmas- and it isn’t material things. Thank you for this Patricia.
Yes…a girl can hope, right?
Thanks for sharing a “little girl heavenly dreams,” such a lovely image, “Peace and Light,” and for hosting this week Patricia!
Thank you, Michelle
Thanks for rounding us up with this beautiful post!
Thanks, Mary Lee.
Thanks for rounding us up, Patricia! I hope your wishes come true.
Wishes? Hope? Believe? I’m always processing these…
It’s a loving wish list, Patricia, and a breath-taking poem, both reminders of the best things in life. Thanks for hosting!
Thank you, Linda.
Well, now I’m crying! How beautiful! And I’m feeling a little bit guilty for my very materialistic post today.
I’m a believer in living IN the world – and that does require material, especially good pencils.
🙂
Somehow your posts always bring tears to my eyes, Patricia. Thank you sharing your heart with all of us and reminding us of what is important this season. May all your wishes come true.
Thank you, Rose.
Beautiful poem, Patricia, and I hope you get at least a few of those things on your list. I see we both have Christmas on our mind! Thanks for hosting.
Thank you, Matt.
This poem haunts and enchants. I adore it. Thank you for your post today and for hosting too. What a dear memory of your mom. My mom always says, “I have everything I want.” Moms are the best. xo, a.
Great country song lyrics: I have everything I want – nothing that I need!
Dear Patricia, this is so lovely and heartfelt, thank you. My mom would always say she wanted “a happy family.” I am in love with that wish for the wind, a falcon… thank you for hosting and bringing a sense of calm to my morning. xo
The wisdom of moms…
🙂
Patricia, I am sitting looking out at the bright sunny day and feel so cozy after reading your blog. There is so much to love about your blog this week: the wonder of including others in your Grown-up Santa Christmas Wish poem and tenderness along with peace and love within your final poem. You chose to bring a sense of family closer with your words. I decided since I am at a loss for time to combine both Poetry Friday and Spiritual Journey Thursday together into one blog. May your holiday wishes spread throughout the month.
Thank you, Carol. I thought about combining SJ and PF too, but my heart is ajumble!
SJ post coming Monday!
A fragile heart needs being cared for. I look forward to your SJT post.
I am in tears of gratitude, Patricia. Both of these are so beautiful, and your own wish poem is so full of love and compassion. The father and technology line really resonated with me.
Thank you, Laura. I hope your dad finds peace, too.
This post is a gift. As are you, Patricia. 🙂
Such kind words, Bridget. Thank you.
Oh Patricia, thank you sharing your beautiful wish list poems full of love, kindness, and light. You have moved me with your heartfelt wishes. I wish for your wishes to come true. Have wonderful holidays with your loved ones.
Your post brings us all to the true meaning of Christmas and I too want peace and love and a great deal of healing thrown in. A joyful holiday, Patricia, to you and your family.