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Notes About The Poem

Originally published: 11th December 2022

Image by gR

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Glow

the warm glow of nostalgia
has yet to melt the snow
that fell upon my christmases
of childhood long ago

instead it keeps the flame alive
and shines a wistful light
on what was both a time of joy
and holy, silent night.

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Greg Gaul Date: 11/29/2023 12:57:00 PM So simple and cleverly word crafted. Sounds like a past musing of very seasoned inkster...you. Liked it. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 11/30/2023 3:24:00 AM Thanks Greg. I tend to reflect in many a poem of mine on those misty-eyed days of yore..ask me, though, what I did last week and I couldn't tell you. :) Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/8/2023 10:38:00 AM A lovely write/ending. Great memories are the best kind to have. I wish you would write more. Have a great day/weekend...................... Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/9/2023 12:24:00 PM That's so nice of you to say so Paula. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Valsa George Date: 1/27/2023 7:27:00 PM Simple and sweet, bringing in many nostalgic memories of childhood and the Christmas season. So nicely done Gary ! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/28/2023 2:16:00 AM Thank you Valsa. Much appreciated! Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood Date: 1/23/2023 12:00:00 PM Smashing, simply smashing. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/23/2023 11:35:00 PM ..just like your comments Terry. Cheers - Gary

Deb M Date: 1/22/2023 6:22:00 AM A stroll down memory lane….just lovely Gary! Debx Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/22/2023 11:52:00 PM I go there a lot in my poems that's for sure. :) Christmas during my childhood was a very exciting time - I just loved it. Its still a lovely time but of course for different reasons. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne Date: 1/18/2023 9:14:00 PM Nostalgia is like a warm sweater for January nights - vital + reassuring. And a child's Christmas is a true light for our winter solstice. A lovely write, Gary. Best wishes always. Brian Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/19/2023 7:34:00 AM Thak you for your valued comments and continued support Brian. Cheers - Gary

Peter Rees Date: 1/17/2023 3:14:00 AM Lovely thoughts Gary and very nostalgic. But you do seem to make comparison between then and now. Are Christmasses less joyful and happy now or is it simply a comparison between how a child and an adult might view Christmas even in today’s world? As usual your ever-thoughtful words deserve contemplation. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/17/2023 3:31:00 AM Hi Peter. Thanks for your comments. Many of my wistful poems are based upon 'rosy recollections of times and places past' and the naivety of childhood versus the realities of adulthood. Many of my poems, too, are snapshots of memories (out of context with the real past times no doubt) but the idea intrigues me and motivates me to write. Also, my memory is such that I can remember so much from many years back..yet ask me what I did last week and I'm scratching my head. :) I will add that I'm probably happier now in life than I have ever been. Thanks again for your thoughts. They are very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck Date: 1/14/2023 12:17:00 PM Dear Gary, I've missed your wise poems that touch the heart. This one is especially lovely with the hush of snow. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/15/2023 2:31:00 AM Thanks Ann. I base many of my nostalgia poems on LP Hartley's quote from 'The Go Between': "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick Date: 1/7/2023 7:56:00 AM Ahh!! I like the topic, rhythm, rhyme and flow of this one. The feelings of nostalgia within are wonderful. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/7/2023 10:28:00 AM Thank you Sara! Cheers - Gary

Bryan Norton Date: 1/5/2023 4:49:00 PM Good job, Gary. I'm glad to see your poems generate so much good response. This one is worthy of your best. Bryan Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/6/2023 2:44:00 AM Thank you Bryan. I'm quite fond of these few lines to be honest so I'm really pleased you like them too. I appreciate your visit and valued comments as always. Cheers - Gary

Suzanne Delaney Date: 12/26/2022 3:13:00 PM Love this shining little gem. SuZ Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/27/2022 1:14:00 AM And I love your comment Suz. All the very best. Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier Date: 12/25/2022 3:43:00 PM Beautiful, Gary. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones ~ Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/26/2022 3:26:00 AM Thank you Line. Happy holidays to you and your family too. Thanks for all your support. Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood Date: 12/18/2022 5:00:00 PM Love this, Gary. I read your reply about Christianity in Britain and heard this myself on the radio. My first thought was why don’t they want to say that Christianity is still our biggest religion. Also, I am atheist but if religion were compulsory I’d be Christian. I suspect there would be many more of the same mind. Glad you’re on the mend and writing again. Terry. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/19/2022 2:39:00 AM Hi Terry. If I'm honest with myself, as much as I love church architecture and listening to choirs (particularly at Christmas) I view religion as I would a walking stick: Great to support people, to enable people and help people on their path should they need it but could be dangerous if used as a weapon. Thanks for your comments Terry. I'll be having a read / catch up of all the poems I've not had a chance to over the last month. All the best! Cheers - Gary

Constance La France Date: 12/18/2022 12:04:00 PM Gary, a wonderful poem, I love it, blessings Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/19/2022 2:28:00 AM Thank you Constance. The poem sums up my thoughts about Christmas in a succinct way. Cheers and all the best - Gary

David Bose Date: 12/16/2022 5:21:00 AM "childhood long ago" describes mine, so I find your words quite apt. It's important, and wonderful, to keep the flame alive and appreciate the joy of long-faded Christmases. Holy, silent night seemed more recognized way back. Thanks for this, and Merry Christmas! Dave Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/16/2022 7:52:00 AM Thanks David. I'm not as religious as many on these boards but this week in the UK I learnt that christianity accounts for less than 50% of people's beliefs here - The first time this has been so. Certainly when it comes to Christmas I believe Jesus should be behind Advent's Door Number 24. Thanks again and Merry Christmas! Cheers - Gary

Janice Canerdy Date: 12/14/2022 3:56:00 PM Gary, CONGRATS on your well-deserved win. Janice Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/15/2022 12:05:00 AM Thank you Janice. I loved Christmas as a child - still do as a 61 year old - but it was such a special atmosphere at home and at school back then. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman Date: 12/14/2022 1:26:00 PM Gary, congratulations on your win! Agreed, the reality of now will never melt the Christmas snows of your childhood held close in that wondrous "holy, silent night!" Beautifully expressed my friend. Sending you warm blessings of joy for the Yuletide! Cheers and a toast to the New Year! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/14/2022 11:58:00 PM Hi Sam! Thank you for your lovely comments. I wanted to write a simple poem about 'simpler' times with the themes of 'remembering' and ''never forgetting' at its heart. All the very best for Christmas and The New Year. Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh Date: 12/11/2022 11:49:00 AM Excellent Gary, you capture the magical lasting effect snowfalls have on our childhood memories, simple and powerful, a beautiful verse, cheers David! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/11/2022 1:34:00 PM I truly appreciate your comments David, thank you. Its difficult to put into words how excited as a child I was as Christmas approached. I do like to reflect on the past in my poems and its usually in a wistful way. "Simple and Powerful" you said..mission accomplished! :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck Date: 12/11/2022 9:28:00 AM A tender poem, Gary--that melts the heart. A happy Christmas to you. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/11/2022 1:25:00 PM Thank you Ann. Happy Christmas to you too. This is my first true poem here at PS in about a month (A temporary loss of muse and 2 weeks of an horrendous chest infection complete with conjunctivitis has knocked me off my stride) so it's good to get back to the writing. Now I need to catch up with my reading of others' poetry too. :) Read you soon. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2022 9:18:00 AM I like this, Gary. The simplicity of it is touching and spoke to my heart. I am a big fan of nostalgia! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 12/28/2022 6:20:00 AM RIP Milt. (22nd Dec 2022) To my Kentucky friend: You will be missed by so many on these boards. Your support was invaluable. You always said and wrote it how it was and I loved you for that. Cheers from your Liverpool friend - Gary Gary Radice Date: 12/11/2022 1:21:00 PM Thanks so much Milt. Your comments sum up to a tee my approach when writing about Christmas and the naivety of childhood. Cheers - Gary