[stylist] I believe in angels...

[Jackie Williams]

Lynda,
I do not know exactly how to respond to this sestina. While I think you do a superb job on sestinas, I think this one is  missing three lines, one ending word is a little different, and I cannot identify the envoy. My closed circuit T V is not working, so I have no way to check it out except by my hearing. Form poems are like a roadmap to me since I lost my ability to see letters, and any change in that format makes me feel that either I have missed hearing correctly, or a "new formalist" has written the piece. Either could be the case here. I do believe that a sestina is the hardest form of poem to write. 
This should not take away from the wonderful content for those who do believe in angels. You make me wish I could. And I guess that goes for all the roles of the shepherds also. 
You do bring the true meaning of Christmas to your audience, and I feel it so strongly in your writings. It is such a strength and comfort to you.


Jackie 
Time is the school in which we learn.
Time is the fire in which we burn.
Delmore Schwartz	 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda Lambert via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 2:48 PM
To: Jackie Williams via stylist
Subject: Re: [stylist] I believe in angels...

Just wrote this about a week ago.  It is a sestina. I wrote it for another group that I belong to – an assignment for next weekend.  Lynda




“I Believe in Angels”



Folks often say Christmas is for children,

skating on ice, building  castles of snow.

Oh, I believe Christmas is a holy birthday!

a time to sit by a warm fire, sing holiday songs. 

I believe in shepherds!  and angels!

and Three Kings who delivered priceless gifts.



It’s a joy to be with friends, to give  gifts.

Adults once again become like children,

who look out  the window to see the first snow.

The Ancients anticipated this birthday

celebration that  began with heavenly songs

when the birth of Messiah was announced by angels.



The holy birth was shared with shepherds and angels,

long before mass marketing, tinsel, and glitzy gifts,

The promised Child would heal earth’s children.

Perhaps the plains were deep with snow

on the night of His miraculous birth.

Yes, I believe in angel songs!



In the darkest winter night, listen for the songs

sung by a choir of angels.

The greatest heavenly gift

came  to walk with earth’s children.

As I light the Advent wreath I look out at falling snow-

and remember the reason behind this ancient birthday.



On bleak December days, consider His birthday.

Listen in the quiet night for angel songs.

The birth of Messiah, announced by the angels,

is the reason for exchanging gifts.

I believe Christ’s birthday is truly for children

like me and you who walk in a world of wintry snow.



Every child knows the delight of playing in snow

the joy of receiving gifts in celebration of a birthday-

I believe in birthday songs!

I’m a  child once again as I listen for angels

songs and remember the wise men who brought gifts.

the Annointed Gift from God – I believe in children!


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