In the quiet spaces
my heart awaits a miracle.
A family with no home
carrying a gift within,
sought shelter on the darkest of nights.
Turned away,
their solace lay with stable mates
and a symbol of Love was born.
As the world seethes
a baby in Aleppo writhes with pain,
feels not the love promised to many.
Angels hover,
ethereal wings tattered and torn.
Their yuletide song has but six words.
How has it come to this?
Created for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. dVerse will take a holiday hiatus, but I shall keep posting here. Heads up! Tomorrow’s post is about our recent trip to Australia and includes some amazing photos of a mama wallaby and her joey!
Special thanks to Bjorn, Gail and all my fellow pub tenders. And a very special thanks to all dVerse participants for making 2016 a great year!
lillian the home poet 
Beautiful. Indeed, the angels do weep and weep as they have for centuries over us and our sinful ways. Unfortunately we have reached the point where there is nothing new under the sun – either for us or the angels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
….and that is such a sad situation. As we approach a new year, my resolution is to concentrate on the good! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I know, I’ve been feeling heartbroken about what is happening there – and what has been happening all year and for the past few years in Syria and in other places. Not exactly the message one would want to convey for the holiday season, is it?
Thank you for your lovely poem, trying to redress that balance a little.
LikeLiked by 1 person
….as we approach 2017, I pray for peace and a resurgence of humanity. I resolve to concentrate on the positive — and to help make it occur wherever I can.
LikeLike
I feel heart broken, but also I have turned numb. The news feed us the misery, but never anything good. The war is not over, but the grim face of cruelty is set ablaze in the sky.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly. 24/7 news has, I believe, created an “everydayness” to these kinds of horrific occurrences. And that is sad indeed.
LikeLike
Oh Lillian, this is so very poignant.. Its absolutely heart wrenching.. sigh.. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes….so very sad indeed. I pray that 2017 will bring a sense of humanity to this world. With the political situation the way it is, the rancor and divisiveness, I pray that somehow, our common good will come to light.
LikeLike
Beautifully written Lillian and so very sad what is happening in Syria, Egypt, Saudi, Iran, the list is endless as it always seems to be when people running countries classify human rights as a criminal offence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree……and sadly so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How beautiful! I especially like the opening two lines and this line: “their solace lay with stable mates.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Your words are much appreciated. Apologies for the late reply….a 40-day trip and the holiday season took me away from my words……..am back now and my resolution for 2017 is to find the good in the world, and to make as much of it as I can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It will definitely be a solemn entry into the new year for many. You blended the two stories well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Now that the holiday season is about to end, and with it 2016, I’m making a resolution for 2017 to try and find the goodness in our world….and to make it happen when I can.
LikeLike
Unfortunately, war is not a gentleman’s duel, it always slaughters the innocent along with the enemy; review history from Rome to London to Dresden to NYC. But yes, your heartfelt piece reminds us that regardless of the hawks among us, there are still poets who grieve the death of innocence/innocents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fear the 24/7 news cycle has made the horrors of war into our everydayness world. Somehow, I shall try in 2017, to find the good in the world….and to try and make it happen as much as I can.
LikeLike
The image is an excellent illustration of your poem and how we all feel. I so admire the opening lines, Lillian: ‘In the quiet spaces / my heart awaits a miracle.’ How has it come to this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim. Making 5 afghans as Christmas presents for my grandchildren, our 40-day glorious trip, adjusting for a week from jet lag, and a 5 day trip to Chicago for a family holiday reunion before Christmas….all have taken me away from my daily writing and reading. I’m looking forward to the return of dVerse and my quiet mornings with pen, coffee, and reading! May we all have a healthy 2017 — and may we try and make good in this world happen for more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you deftly overlapped two very important historical stories, Lill. I couldn’t help thinking though about Christ himself and the torture that he endured in his short lifetime…it continues I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…..a parallel in the two stanzas was deliberate. And sadly, the hope of the Christmas story does not occur for far too many in this world. My resolution for 2017 is to seek the good….and to try as I can, to make more of it for more people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lillian, how tender and how well your piece works with the chosen illustration – beautifully done…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apologies for the late reply……..the holiday has meant time away from writing and reading. I’m looking forward to starting the year anew, with quiet mornings with pen, hot coffee, reading and writing. And…hoping to seek the good and create more good for others as well.
LikeLike
So deeply touching, Lillian. And, indeed, the Aleppo’s of the world (and there are too many of them) bring to mind the hardships such as those faced in Bethlehem over 20 Centuries ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apologies for the late reply Victoria…..but I did finish the fifth and final Christmas afghan (one for each grandchild) 2 hours before my daughter and her family arrived the 28th for our family celebration! 🙂 I’m looking forward to the return of dVerse and my quiet mornings of writing and reading with my steaming cup of coffee! Here’s to a 2017 in which we see more goodness in the world — I for one, shall try to create more good where I can. See you Monday at the pub!
LikeLike
Yes, though I haven’t lost faith i do feel powerless. Something new to me.
Well expressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your very thoughtful response. Truly appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel sad reading the news lately ~ Thanks for all your hard work and take care Lillian ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find that I don’t like reading our newspaper much lately….24/7 cycle of news has made us far too numb to those who suffer. And, more aware too I think. In earlier years, before social media and CNN etc, we just didn’t know and went blithely on our merry way. Now we know….
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the pub on Monday. I’ve missed my quiet mornings of reading and writing. Somehow, my resolution for 2017 is to try and see more, and bring more, good into the world.
LikeLike
Beautifully written. The world has much to answer for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. Activism is the key, I believe. And I do think, I shall try to make more good for 2017….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an apt poem for the time….beautiful!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Your kind words are much appreciated.
LikeLike
So well expressed, Lillian. It’s so very gut wrenching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes….when written by an everyday person, in a way like this, it reminds us of the pain that is too glossed over in our 24/7 cycle of news.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It absolutely does just that. I hope you’ve enjoyed your holidays, Lillian. Happy new year! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
“carrying a gift within” — beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Christmas message………..may it ring true for many in 2017.
LikeLike
Your last line expresses exactly what I feel, every time I watch the news these days.
I truly hop that we, as a specie, aren’t stupid enough to miss on the “gift”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fear the 24/7 cycle of news has made these types of horrors our everydayness world. Somehow, I shall try to see more good in the world in 2017, and more importantly, to make more good. I do think activism shall be on the rise in 2017.
LikeLike
This moved me so much it gave me chills. The connection you’ve made between the birth of Jesus and innocent children suffering in Syria is poignant. You chose the most perfect photo to accompany this piece.The question at the end is heart breaking…thought-provoking, as it should be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mish. I truly appreciate your thoughtful comment here.
Apologies for the late reply. How in heaven’s name did I think I could make 5 Christmas afghans for my grandkids, plus 2 sweaters???? And take a 40 day trip from Oct 25 to Dec 2nd??? I did it — but found I needed a vacation from our “vacation” and the holidays! 🙂 Am so looking foward to the return of dVerse on Monday….and quiet mornings with reading and writing over my hot steaming coffee. And, tonight, shall toast in the new year with a resolution to see more good in the world, and to find ways to do more good for more people as well….small steps by individuals matter. I do believe that. My daughter and I shall take part in the Boston Womens March on Jan 21….can’t make it to DC. I think activism shall have a rebirth in 2017.
See you at the pub! And yes, may the Chrismas spirit remain with many more into the new year.
LikeLike
Sad. And lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sue. Truly appreciate your words here.
LikeLike
Thank you for remembering the traumatized children and refugees…we should weep with the angels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…….somehow 2017 must bring activism and commitment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, thank you for writing this. I wrote a poem for Aleppo too. You may want to check it out. You have a lovely blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I shall meander over your way 🙂
LikeLike
How do you post when Linky has expired?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Nan. The only way to post for a dVerse prompt after mr Linky expires is to put your post on a Thursday’s Open Link Night at dVerse and then refer to the original prompt in your notes at end of post. Today is an OLN at dVerse and everyone can post one poem of their choosing — from an old prompt, or just any new poem (prompt not required). I.E. after poem you could say – used the dVerse prompt from xxxx for this post — or something like that.
LikeLike