Winter Blue by Robert Frost

Winter Blue

By

Robert Frost

Winter uses all the blues there are.

One shade of blue for water, the other for ice.

Another blue for shadows over snow.

The clear or cloudy sky used blue twice -

Both different blues.  And hills row after row

Are colored blue according to how far.

You know the blue jays double-blur device

Shows best when there's no green leaves to show.

And Sirius is a winter blue green star.

Louisa May Alcott. Christmas

From The Short Story A Christmas Dream, And How It Came True

From our happy home
Through the world we roam
One week in all the year,
Making winter spring
With the joy we bring
For Christmas-tide is here.

Now the eastern star
Shines from afar
To light the poorest home;
Hearts warmer grow,
Gifts freely flow,
For Christmas-tide has come.

Now gay trees rise
Before young eyes,
Abloom with tempting cheer;
Blithe voices sing,
And blithe bells ring,
For Christmas-tide is here.

Oh, happy chime,
Oh, blessed time,
That draws us all so near!
"Welcome, dear day,"
All creatures say,
For Christmas-tide is here.

by Louisa May Alcott. 
From http://m.poemhunter.com/poem/from-the-short-story-a-christmas-dream-and-how-i/

The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote

Truman Capote, an American Enigma

The Thanksgiving Visitor

My first real introduction to Truman Capote was through the teleplays during A the 1960s of The Thanksgiving Visitor and A Christmas Memoir.  Although, I was a child, the performances enthralled me.  After all Capote was writing about his own childhood memories and who better to understand them than a child.  I understood how "Buddy" felt and was thrilled to have found a character who portrayed my own feelings and attitudes.  It was a magical moment which filled me with wonder.   However, as time pushed forward the teleplays became a memory and faded until the holidays approached and I would look to see if they would be shown again.  Alas, I never caught them again, at least not until I found them on that riveting internet site, YouTube.  Thank god for that Haven of old teleplays and recordings!  I have found so many different joys there!  

But, to return to Capote.  My next experience with him came from a movie, Murder By Death, a Neil Simon murder mystery spoof which is hilarious!  Capote filled his role completely!  He owned it!  And yet, as an adult I see him now as more than just an actor.  I wonder if he really just was himself and not acting at all.  Sadly, Capote would be found dead in 1984, just 8 years after this movie was made.  He was only 59 years old.  Fortunately for us, he left behind a treasury of short stories, novels, plays, films, which includes The Thanksgiving Visitor. 

The Thanksgiving Visitor is a short story, a childhood memory of Capote.  It takes place during the Depression in rural Alabama.  The tale concerns Buddy, a nine year old boy who is having problems with a bully.  Buddy's friend and beloved elderly cousin decides to help the towo boys understand one another by inviting the bully, Odd Henderson  who is from an extremely poor family, to Buddy's family Thanksgiving dinner.   The Thanksgiving Visitor brings out morals concerning the poor, thievery, purposeful humiliation, and family love.  It grabs the reader (or viewer) with the simplicity of the time; as well as, the complexity of human relationships and the need of some to belittle others different from themselves.

It is an appropriate reading for the times we are in.  I believe you will enjoy this short story.  It is one of the few tales concerning Thanksgiving and the memories are filled with a fondness towards family gatherings we all can relate too.  Truman Capote brought forth a beautiful and yet, enlighting memory to share with us.  Enjoy.

The Freedom of the Moon by Robert Frost

The Freedom of the Moon

I've tried the new moon tilted in the air 

Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster 

As you might try a jewel in your hair. 

I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster, 

Alone, or in one ornament combining 

With one first-water start almost shining. 

I put it shining anywhere I please. 

By walking slowly on some evening later, 

I've pulled it from a crate of crooked trees, 

And brought it over glossy water, greater, 

And dropped it in, and seen the image wallow, 

The color run, all sorts of wonder follow.

by Robert Frost