I will float you
if you’ll swim
into my envelope
open my
drawing of you to me

Drink me
read me
come splash me in the delta:
an ocean of love awaits us
— Douglas Gilbert
Sometimes family parties can be close and distant at the same time;
Table Scraps
It was demanded
that I convene the loose family
bring on the relatives who
intrude with rudeness
at festivals tabled

I mulled over the left-overs
vetted fruit cake
for juicy gossip
for left-over guests
unsaid harangues
meringues’ puffery

When questioned on politics
I parroted gibberish
vaulted the table to
the fruit punch bowl
where mingled the bored

Ruminating the day replete with
Aunty antacids, undigested chaos
and family gas lights,
these dirty platters
were ameliorated by
your sly shy smile
by your offer with a sigh
to mingle with me
relieving the bloat, but
family spills evaporated in kind kisses
and I burp the day away
— Douglas Gilbert
But, you never know how things will turn out, so I like pretending I know it has snowed every day this winter though most days it’s just falling feathers from exploding birds. In summer it’ll be easy to see it’s all bird flakes, merely feathers of doom that make fine pillows.

Dear Lucette, You are such a sound woman! And yes, I have had both kinds of holidays too, and it is a good thing to remember that they come and go. xoxo, L

Carl, I can’t tell you what an amazingly good idea that is, to sort of seed your office with something nice so that when you return from the holidays it seems like a welcoming place. I might just do that myself.

http://lisamm.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/whatcha-reading-meme/

A couple of years ago I found some items at the bookstore that I just could not resist, despite it being the season to be giving to others. So I bought them and immediately wrapped them up and put them in my office at work. Then after my holiday vacation I came back to find my presents waiting there for me to open. It was so very much fun!

Hello Lisa, and welcome. I agree completely about the uselessness of whining — it’s far better to please yourself and stop waiting for others to, essentially, read your mind. So far, that’s never happened, and it’s unlikely to begin any time soon.

Dear Sue, .lit files! Absolutely. What a great idea. I’m into the budget book stack in a big way. Giving away books you’ve loved is the ideal re-gifting in my mind. Much Love, L

Well. Ms. Lazy-C, I can’t wait to see what you give yourself. Do let me know if you post about it.

Yogamum, Although I read something in the new York Times book review that seemed to think it was good rather than transcendent, that’s really good enough for me. I like Alice Waters.

Charlotte — the birthdays of loved ones are such a fun thing, and in many ways much easier than the birthday of the Christ child. My mom’s birthday is the 24th, and she always felt much of the hoop-la was on her behalf!

That’s great to hear lilalia. I hope you share what you choose!

Thanks LK and the same to you. xoxo, BL

I’ve been reading a bunch of older titles that way.

As far as holiday cheer goes, we just aren’t feeling it this year.

With not as much money this year, instead of book stacks, we might be doing Library recommendations.

You’re getting your very own Christmas elf for a few days without Mr. Grinch, so that should be nice!