RESPOND

Holidays in Poetry

responses

Who are the people that come together?

Frozen relationships thaw/ Friendships renew/ Political mounds melt/ The spirit returns anew

Albert Boorady
Erie, PA

Who are the people that come together?

Frozen relationships thaw/ Friendships renew/ Political mounds melt/ The spirit returns anew

Albert Boorady
Erie, PA

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the sounds?

Bells jingle from afar While the laughter of the children starts Puppies play in the distance While parents gaze with wonder The snow begins to fall as the breeze gently whispers at their necks Soft sounds of I love you and merry Christmas warm the crowd Pine scented tranquility prompts a collective sigh.

Wade
Spotsylvania, VA

What are the sounds?

Bells jingle from afar While the laughter of the children starts Puppies play in the distance While parents gaze with wonder The snow begins to fall as the breeze gently whispers at their necks Soft sounds of I love you and merry Christmas warm the crowd Pine scented tranquility prompts a collective sigh.

Wade
Spotsylvania, VA

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Who are the people that come together?

My Holiday People / The people who gather in my home — chosen family, “step” family, my interfaith family, my cat who thinks she belongs in a poem about people. / The people who gather in my heart — Mom who always waited until the wee hours of Christmas morning to start wrapping and then couldn’t wake at dawn. / Dad who got so excited watching us open the one special gift he alone had picked for each of us. / And Nanny, who at 93 still sent dirty Santa greeting cards because who is going to tell Nanny not to?

Shannon R.
Chautauqua, NY

Who are the people that come together?

My Holiday People / The people who gather in my home — chosen family, “step” family, my interfaith family, my cat who thinks she belongs in a poem about people. / The people who gather in my heart — Mom who always waited until the wee hours of Christmas morning to start wrapping and then couldn’t wake at dawn. / Dad who got so excited watching us open the one special gift he alone had picked for each of us. / And Nanny, who at 93 still sent dirty Santa greeting cards because who is going to tell Nanny not to?

Shannon R.
Chautauqua, NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Twas the night before Christmas when All was a flutter soon everyone was waiting for hot chocolate and bread with butter. While ornaments were getting hung on the tree everyone was happy with Christmas glee. As the marshmallows were getting poured people are not getting bored. As we were baking the cookies for Santa some of us wondered why reindeer liked Fanta. As Christmas morn was upon us we were all filled with joy when we thought of or wonderful toys.

Samuel M.
Erie PA

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Twas the night before Christmas when All was a flutter soon everyone was waiting for hot chocolate and bread with butter. While ornaments were getting hung on the tree everyone was happy with Christmas glee. As the marshmallows were getting poured people are not getting bored. As we were baking the cookies for Santa some of us wondered why reindeer liked Fanta. As Christmas morn was upon us we were all filled with joy when we thought of or wonderful toys.

Samuel M.
Erie PA

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas morning I absolutely cannot wait For the four sectioned Holiday designed Christmas plate It is filled to the brim with a glorious combination Of the goodies that come together for our Christmas celebration The morning version of “Come Dash Away, Come Dash Away” I rush to its side For my pistachios, apricots and cured meat that is dried Don’t forget the cheese and crackers, I would not dare And honestly sometimes this platter makes me forget about the presents that are there

Mandy M
Erie pa

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas morning I absolutely cannot wait For the four sectioned Holiday designed Christmas plate It is filled to the brim with a glorious combination Of the goodies that come together for our Christmas celebration The morning version of “Come Dash Away, Come Dash Away” I rush to its side For my pistachios, apricots and cured meat that is dried Don’t forget the cheese and crackers, I would not dare And honestly sometimes this platter makes me forget about the presents that are there

Mandy M
Erie pa

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Who are the people that come together?

The month of December at school Paper chain countdowns Glitter and garland crafts Crowded classes full of coats and boots and Santa hats Ornaments with toothless school pictures Cups of cocoa being stirred with white, plastic spoons The month of December at school is Ugly sweaters Candy canes Lunch ladies in poinsettia applique vests “Is it okay if we bring some treats to share?” The month of December at school is Polar Express day Jammies day Candy grams day Penny Wars day It’s the exhilarating ringing hum of the final bell on the last day before break. The month of December at school is A’cappella vespers soothing the season with Silent Night The flickering candles bringing a holy moment to all this sugared-up fun The month of December at school Tins of chocolates on teacher’s desk It’s BINGO prizes and pictionary sketches of reindeer on classroom whiteboards It’s secret Santas and gift bags with coffee mugs and freesia hand lotion It’s ELF, It’s Frosty, It’s the Grinch, It’s ELF again but now we can quote it You “cotton-headed ninny muggins” it’s also Epiphany and following in faith, a star The month of December at school Is Dickins, O’Henry, Robert Frost’s winter, and Maya Angelou’s hope for “Amazing Peace” The month of December at school Gift cards and homemade cards Tinsel and strings of bulbs that frame the snow cotton-covered classroom door Trays of tree-shaped cookies The jingling bells of the janitor as she wheels the cart of paper to the copier room The month of December at school is when students remember what this season has been for them. How the magic has spoke to them. How the traditions have connected them. It’s our holidays in poetry.

Elizabeth Rowe-Baehr
Jamestown, NY

Who are the people that come together?

The month of December at school Paper chain countdowns Glitter and garland crafts Crowded classes full of coats and boots and Santa hats Ornaments with toothless school pictures Cups of cocoa being stirred with white, plastic spoons The month of December at school is Ugly sweaters Candy canes Lunch ladies in poinsettia applique vests “Is it okay if we bring some treats to share?” The month of December at school is Polar Express day Jammies day Candy grams day Penny Wars day It’s the exhilarating ringing hum of the final bell on the last day before break. The month of December at school is A’cappella vespers soothing the season with Silent Night The flickering candles bringing a holy moment to all this sugared-up fun The month of December at school Tins of chocolates on teacher’s desk It’s BINGO prizes and pictionary sketches of reindeer on classroom whiteboards It’s secret Santas and gift bags with coffee mugs and freesia hand lotion It’s ELF, It’s Frosty, It’s the Grinch, It’s ELF again but now we can quote it You “cotton-headed ninny muggins” it’s also Epiphany and following in faith, a star The month of December at school Is Dickins, O’Henry, Robert Frost’s winter, and Maya Angelou’s hope for “Amazing Peace” The month of December at school Gift cards and homemade cards Tinsel and strings of bulbs that frame the snow cotton-covered classroom door Trays of tree-shaped cookies The jingling bells of the janitor as she wheels the cart of paper to the copier room The month of December at school is when students remember what this season has been for them. How the magic has spoke to them. How the traditions have connected them. It’s our holidays in poetry.

Elizabeth Rowe-Baehr
Jamestown, NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas Eve: Christmas Eve with mom is seeing the light show In the snow as it falls from the sky We listen to the radio Watch the light show Christmas Eve with dad Is going to Aunt Wandas Eating dinner-Having fun Uncle Tom dressing as Santa For all the little ones Watch the light show in their eyes Christmas Morning: Christmas Morning waking up Waking the parents Waking the kids Waiting Waiting Waiting For family to arrive Christmas morning family arrives Opening Gifts-Laughing Laughing when unwrapping gifts Aunt Lisa gives the Funniest-Cheeziest Gifts Christmas Day: Christmas Day Dad arrives Dad arrives we say goodbye Arriving at Dads Open presents-Give presents Watching faces as gifts you've given Unwrap Christmas Day arrive at Uncles Aunts Cousins Houses Exchange gifts-Eat-Have fun Enjoy the time Christmas With My Family: Christmas with my family That’s how it goes Enjoying time with my family Is the best part of all

Hannah D’Angelo
Jamestown NY

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas Eve: Christmas Eve with mom is seeing the light show In the snow as it falls from the sky We listen to the radio Watch the light show Christmas Eve with dad Is going to Aunt Wandas Eating dinner-Having fun Uncle Tom dressing as Santa For all the little ones Watch the light show in their eyes Christmas Morning: Christmas Morning waking up Waking the parents Waking the kids Waiting Waiting Waiting For family to arrive Christmas morning family arrives Opening Gifts-Laughing Laughing when unwrapping gifts Aunt Lisa gives the Funniest-Cheeziest Gifts Christmas Day: Christmas Day Dad arrives Dad arrives we say goodbye Arriving at Dads Open presents-Give presents Watching faces as gifts you've given Unwrap Christmas Day arrive at Uncles Aunts Cousins Houses Exchange gifts-Eat-Have fun Enjoy the time Christmas With My Family: Christmas with my family That’s how it goes Enjoying time with my family Is the best part of all

Hannah D’Angelo
Jamestown NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Who are the people that come together?

Christmas at the Sanfilippo’s Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is going over every sunday for advent Lighting candles till the white in the middle is lit Waiting for the favorite cousins to walk in because without them it’s just boring Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is getting messages to bring pajamas to open gifts two people coming in late from work Kids being banned from the kitchen Told to go play downstairs or sit in the room Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Kids drinking cheerwine or eggnog with nutmeg While the adults have it with rum or just wine Waiting for grandpa to get done talking to family that came from ohio Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is moving the rocking chairs where Uncle Mike use to dress up as santa and give us gifts Getting squished by uncle Joe since there's no more seats Parents telling stories of their childhood Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is all the kids and dads Throwing wrapping paper at each other like a snowball fight Getting yelled at by grandma to move the garbage bag Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Most the kids playing pool in the basement Or playing on our phones in the guest room The round table with eggnog, cheese and crackers, cookies Taking candy canes off the tree but only once per day Christmas in the Sanfilippo family was Having a gingerbread house challenge Grandpa saying blessings so we can eat Kids running to be first in line Kids at the two round tables, adults at the main Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Skipping through movies with cousins to find the good parts Leaving the room to hear from the adults Watching random shows or football screaming for the team to make a touchdown Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Waiting for dad to get back from plowing driveways Grandma and grandpa Sanfilippo coming to see what you got on christmas day Grandma and grandpa Rose bring us more gifts and chex mix This is christmas in the Sanfilippo family


Jamestown ny

Who are the people that come together?

Christmas at the Sanfilippo’s Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is going over every sunday for advent Lighting candles till the white in the middle is lit Waiting for the favorite cousins to walk in because without them it’s just boring Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is getting messages to bring pajamas to open gifts two people coming in late from work Kids being banned from the kitchen Told to go play downstairs or sit in the room Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Kids drinking cheerwine or eggnog with nutmeg While the adults have it with rum or just wine Waiting for grandpa to get done talking to family that came from ohio Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is moving the rocking chairs where Uncle Mike use to dress up as santa and give us gifts Getting squished by uncle Joe since there's no more seats Parents telling stories of their childhood Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is all the kids and dads Throwing wrapping paper at each other like a snowball fight Getting yelled at by grandma to move the garbage bag Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Most the kids playing pool in the basement Or playing on our phones in the guest room The round table with eggnog, cheese and crackers, cookies Taking candy canes off the tree but only once per day Christmas in the Sanfilippo family was Having a gingerbread house challenge Grandpa saying blessings so we can eat Kids running to be first in line Kids at the two round tables, adults at the main Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Skipping through movies with cousins to find the good parts Leaving the room to hear from the adults Watching random shows or football screaming for the team to make a touchdown Christmas in the Sanfilippo family is Waiting for dad to get back from plowing driveways Grandma and grandpa Sanfilippo coming to see what you got on christmas day Grandma and grandpa Rose bring us more gifts and chex mix This is christmas in the Sanfilippo family


Jamestown ny

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Who are the people that come together?

On cold christmas mornings cousins Wear pajamas to open presents at The sanfilippo house Going every sunday for advent Arguing who lights the big candle Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Kids being banned from the kitchen Dinner at 3 with one of each person's favorite dish Wrecking each other in pool or hide and seek Going outside to throw snow at one another Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Shaking presents trying to to figure it out Passing them out so everyone gets one Throwing wrapping paper at one another like a snowball fight Hiding presents under the chair to wait and be last Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Watching movies in the guest room while the adults watch others The polar express making all the kids sing “Hot Chocolate” Drinking eggnog jumping with joy. That is christmas in the Sanfilippo house

ariel sanfilippo
jamestown ny

Who are the people that come together?

On cold christmas mornings cousins Wear pajamas to open presents at The sanfilippo house Going every sunday for advent Arguing who lights the big candle Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Kids being banned from the kitchen Dinner at 3 with one of each person's favorite dish Wrecking each other in pool or hide and seek Going outside to throw snow at one another Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Shaking presents trying to to figure it out Passing them out so everyone gets one Throwing wrapping paper at one another like a snowball fight Hiding presents under the chair to wait and be last Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Watching movies in the guest room while the adults watch others The polar express making all the kids sing “Hot Chocolate” Drinking eggnog jumping with joy. That is christmas in the Sanfilippo house

ariel sanfilippo
jamestown ny

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the sounds?

On cold christmas mornings cousins Wear pajamas to open presents at The sanfilippo house Going every sunday for advent Arguing who lights the big candle Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Kids being banned from the kitchen Dinner at 3 with one of each person's favorite dish Wrecking each other in pool or hide and seek Going outside to throw snow at one another Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Shaking presents trying to to figure it out Passing them out so everyone gets one Throwing wrapping paper at one another like a snowball fight Hiding presents under the chair to wait and be last Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Watching movies in the guest room while the adults watch others The polar express making all the kids sing “Hot Chocolate” Drinking eggnog jumping with joy. That is christmas in the Sanfilippo house

ariel sanfilippo
jamestown ny

What are the sounds?

On cold christmas mornings cousins Wear pajamas to open presents at The sanfilippo house Going every sunday for advent Arguing who lights the big candle Picking names out of a hat Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Kids being banned from the kitchen Dinner at 3 with one of each person's favorite dish Wrecking each other in pool or hide and seek Going outside to throw snow at one another Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Shaking presents trying to to figure it out Passing them out so everyone gets one Throwing wrapping paper at one another like a snowball fight Hiding presents under the chair to wait and be last Christmas in the Sanfilippo house Watching movies in the guest room while the adults watch others The polar express making all the kids sing “Hot Chocolate” Drinking eggnog jumping with joy. That is christmas in the Sanfilippo house

ariel sanfilippo
jamestown ny

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas with my Family Christmas in my city is packed with snow, howling cold breezes pass through the homemade chimes. As the ferocious plows do their jobs, the family is already up and are met by the fresh smell of sugar cookies, half eaten by “santa”, half eaten by my dog. As me and my curious brothers make our way to the tree we are joined by presents calling our names. Of course nobody is happier than my dog as he drools due to the smell of fresh ham and gravy As dinners served, plates bigger than my high school are served, many different smells, the smell of ham, the smell of stuffing, the smell of potatoes, the smell of gravy, and the smell of dessert, at this point of time my dog is driven nuts, puddles of drool, leaking like niagra falls, my dog, more concentrated than a glass of orange juice, his attention, only drawn on the plates. As everyones stuffed we load the dishwasher, my mom makes each other the dogs a plate, they adored each and every plate because they mowwed down until every spot on the plate was licked clean like a fresh rack if dishes, not a worry in the world, not a drop of drool to be caught. After dinner I go to my grandmas, As soon as I walk in, I am joined by the scent of fresh coco. I switched into my brand new pajamas which were softer and almost as comforting as my grizzly bear-like dog. As I sit down and sip coco my tongue is burned by scorching hot chocolate. After I finished my coco I got the cat and pet him till I was too comfortable to get up, I fought to keep my eyes open like I was the cat, but certainly it wasn't enough.


Jamestown NY

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Christmas with my Family Christmas in my city is packed with snow, howling cold breezes pass through the homemade chimes. As the ferocious plows do their jobs, the family is already up and are met by the fresh smell of sugar cookies, half eaten by “santa”, half eaten by my dog. As me and my curious brothers make our way to the tree we are joined by presents calling our names. Of course nobody is happier than my dog as he drools due to the smell of fresh ham and gravy As dinners served, plates bigger than my high school are served, many different smells, the smell of ham, the smell of stuffing, the smell of potatoes, the smell of gravy, and the smell of dessert, at this point of time my dog is driven nuts, puddles of drool, leaking like niagra falls, my dog, more concentrated than a glass of orange juice, his attention, only drawn on the plates. As everyones stuffed we load the dishwasher, my mom makes each other the dogs a plate, they adored each and every plate because they mowwed down until every spot on the plate was licked clean like a fresh rack if dishes, not a worry in the world, not a drop of drool to be caught. After dinner I go to my grandmas, As soon as I walk in, I am joined by the scent of fresh coco. I switched into my brand new pajamas which were softer and almost as comforting as my grizzly bear-like dog. As I sit down and sip coco my tongue is burned by scorching hot chocolate. After I finished my coco I got the cat and pet him till I was too comfortable to get up, I fought to keep my eyes open like I was the cat, but certainly it wasn't enough.


Jamestown NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

My Family on Christmas We gather together from far away places. We sit by the fire to warm our hearts there. Our gifts to each other are wrapped in much love. Our moment together are too far apart.

Mimi Bob

My Family on Christmas We gather together from far away places. We sit by the fire to warm our hearts there. Our gifts to each other are wrapped in much love. Our moment together are too far apart.

Mimi Bob

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Swedish cookies

Jenn

Swedish cookies

Jenn

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish cookies made of ginger and gold

Jenn
Jamestown NY

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish cookies made of ginger and gold

Jenn
Jamestown NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish cookies

Jenn
Jamestown NY

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish cookies

Jenn
Jamestown NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish Cookies

Jenn champ
Jamestown NY

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Swedish Cookies

Jenn champ
Jamestown NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Who are the people that come together?

The day the world come together for one man that gives a bunch of gifts that a bunch on elf’s made the elf’s will come and watch if your good or bad

Lily

Who are the people that come together?

The day the world come together for one man that gives a bunch of gifts that a bunch on elf’s made the elf’s will come and watch if your good or bad

Lily

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

How do you decorate?

There’s the Charlie Brown plastic Christmas tree from Big Lots. It’s too small for big ornaments so it’s festooned with teensy baubles. I like it so much that I keep it out all year long, decorating for Black History, St. Patrick’s Day and of course there are eggs at Easter. We’ve collected crèches for our 36 years together. They’re from all over the world. My favorite is from Mexico. That’s the one with the headless baby Jesus, thanks to our overly curious dog, Uma. She also starred in the children’s Christmas pageant one year. There weren’t enough kids to play all the parts so she was cast as the Wise Dog.

Georgia Whitney
Jamestown, NY

How do you decorate?

There’s the Charlie Brown plastic Christmas tree from Big Lots. It’s too small for big ornaments so it’s festooned with teensy baubles. I like it so much that I keep it out all year long, decorating for Black History, St. Patrick’s Day and of course there are eggs at Easter. We’ve collected crèches for our 36 years together. They’re from all over the world. My favorite is from Mexico. That’s the one with the headless baby Jesus, thanks to our overly curious dog, Uma. She also starred in the children’s Christmas pageant one year. There weren’t enough kids to play all the parts so she was cast as the Wise Dog.

Georgia Whitney
Jamestown, NY

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the sounds?

The worst year of my life The stuff is spreading we can’t get away We are running and running is useless if every body wear a mask running might work get the vaccine we can run and hide if everyone does it we will be free

Lily

What are the sounds?

The worst year of my life The stuff is spreading we can’t get away We are running and running is useless if every body wear a mask running might work get the vaccine we can run and hide if everyone does it we will be free

Lily

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

The worst year of my life

Lily

The worst year of my life

Lily

Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Holiday Baking Pie crust crumbles like breaking leaves falling from a maple branch. Filled by a golden pillow stuffed with pumpkin, cloves, all spice, and cinnamon


What are the foods your family enjoys this time of year?

Holiday Baking Pie crust crumbles like breaking leaves falling from a maple branch. Filled by a golden pillow stuffed with pumpkin, cloves, all spice, and cinnamon


Holidays in Poetry
Traveling Stanzas | www.travelingstanzas.com

Loading more responses...
All responses have been loaded.
Launch me