Comments on Christmas on the Outer Side

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You write so well! I just had to read this again! sam

posted by sam444 on January 4, 2010 at 3:40 PM | link to this | reply

answer
Yes in England in the countryside still, in my dreams. Posted around 10am, I cannot remember precisley. I'll make a note next time. it is 7-30 pm at this moment.  

posted by C_C_T on January 2, 2010 at 11:32 AM | link to this | reply

What an engrossing piece! I enjoyed it a lot,keep up the good work!

posted by shamasehar on January 2, 2010 at 1:58 AM | link to this | reply

Re: My last break with a christmas story
Obviously this is written well, I think your readers here will love it.

posted by C_C_T on January 2, 2010 at 1:52 AM | link to this | reply

My goodness, start that blog as soon as you can. This was outstanding! I did not expect the end and it was gripping. I must read this a second time. Your work always deserves that! KUDOS!!! sam

posted by sam444 on January 1, 2010 at 9:38 PM | link to this | reply

Hello, Tzippy

Thank you for your encouraging comments on my postings. I am pasting the Christmas poem I mentioned here in your section because I'm not sure how to link yet. I have very conflicted feelings about the holidays. My earliest memories as a child are of it being a time of family warmth and togetherness; the once a year visitations to relatives far fling but always so kind and welcoming, delicious meals, candy and sweets unlimited, it seemed, the totality of kindness to a child's eyes, I suppose...:) And the twinkling trees, strangely outfitted strangers called Santa whom you were beckoned to with lists and promises of good behavior in exchange for a mound of brightly wrapped presents - the toys you had asked for, the 'things' you believed you had to have to be happy..as I type these memories, I'm experiencing an epiphany - I think that's what it is called..:) The one year I had only one wish - for my parents not to divorce - was the one year Santa failed me..but the pile of things beneath the tree was deeper than usual. Didn't ease the disappointment, not one iota..

Sorry for the length of this. I guess I'm trying to say Christmas to me is a mix of the wonderful and joyous - family memories and the efforts to travel to be together, to unite, if only for a night or day, a deeper closeness rare and magical, well, usually - and of the coarser impulses of selfishness, hypocrisy and delusion - peace never seems to happen or to endure, Christmas or any other season..
Anyway, here's the poem:

Christmas Is
the worst and best of our natures
frantic, gimme more, more, more shopping
plastic piety, nylon greetings
wars raging mindless
death marching non-stop...
in other corners, a celebration of innocence
children venerated for a season,
embodiment of peace and forgiveness the reason
to keep on giving life

posted by LizaM on January 1, 2010 at 7:12 PM | link to this | reply

~ ~ more please??? ~

posted by Blue_feathers on January 1, 2010 at 6:22 PM | link to this | reply

Definitely, Tzippy. Keep it going! And a Happy New Year to you!!

posted by adnohr on January 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM | link to this | reply

Compelling writing.
keep going...

posted by Pat_B on January 1, 2010 at 6:18 AM | link to this | reply

Wonderful post!

posted by janey_ on December 31, 2009 at 11:40 PM | link to this | reply

Tzippy
This is very good, and very interesting, because you somehow manage to to move beyond conventional perceptions...

posted by Nautikos on December 31, 2009 at 6:40 PM | link to this | reply

Highly captivating and powerful post .

posted by afzal50 on December 31, 2009 at 4:53 PM | link to this | reply

I say that you have a gift for writing fiction, and I feel a blog of yours in that category would do quite well.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on December 31, 2009 at 3:42 PM | link to this | reply

wonderful writing...please can we have some more.

posted by Kabu on December 31, 2009 at 11:37 AM | link to this | reply

Oh yes, more please!
I agree with Elinjo - very well expressed indeed. Especially connected to the the thoughts about how shopping/materialism seems to be the main focus of all the warm cheer. As an 'insider' to the traditions, I still struggle with this aspect of it - feels like a cheapening, and so cold really - business transactions are not the stuff of soul balance, hope or peace...(nor are dying trees, plastic signs, etc.) I posted a poem in a spell of clarity concerning this hypocrisy last week or so. Yet most of us raised with Americana Christmases end up succumbing anyway.. Your work here reveals much more and I look forward to reading.  

posted by LizaM on December 31, 2009 at 9:19 AM | link to this | reply

Tzippy, this is very, very powerful writing. You convey very well the feelings outsiders have when observing other people's contentment. I look forward to following your blog next year - Happy New Year! 

posted by elinjo on December 31, 2009 at 8:34 AM | link to this | reply

an original.........excellent flow......I love reading you . HAPPY NEW YEAR

posted by Star5_ on December 31, 2009 at 8:07 AM | link to this | reply

My last break with a christmas story
I am thinking of starting a fiction blog and I wanted your honest opinion on my writing as well as the how the story was told, and would you want to hear more, do you want to know if she went into the house etc etc.  Thanks for all your support until now and Happy New Year. I will continue with the story of the aftermath of a life changing accident in our new year that is upon us 2010

posted by Tzippy on December 31, 2009 at 7:42 AM | link to this | reply