Home » Poems » Gary Radice » Yuletide Fire

Gary Radice | + Follow Poet |

Yuletide Fire

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gary Radice.

Published: 17th December 2021

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This Poem was placed 1st in the "A Christmas Gift Memory" Poetry Contest sponsored by Bj Legros Kelley (Judged 29th December 2021)

behind the logs on this crackling fire the dulcet sound of a distant choir wakes up the child and times in me like lights around a Christmas tree and takes me back when sixties' chills left ice inside our window sills when Jesus lay behind the door of advent's number twenty four when the greatest present that I had was the presence of both mum and dad when love and laughter fun and games lit up the room just like these flames that dance each year to times gone by before they flicker, fade and die.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/12/2022 9:08:00 PM

Lovely sentiments, Gary! The presence of mom and dad special. God bless!

Gary Radice
Date: 1/12/2022 10:52:00 PM

Thank you Kim. Have a great day. Cheers - Gary

Tony Hargreaves

Date: 1/9/2022 1:49:00 AM

What lovely images; they bring back many fond memories. Thanks for this. Tony

Gary Radice
Date: 1/9/2022 3:37:00 AM

My pleasure Tony. Thanks so much for your visit and comments. Cheers - Gary

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 1/2/2022 1:42:00 PM

Wonderful write. I just love it :) God bless you and Happy New Year. Love, Gina

Gary Radice
Date: 1/2/2022 1:47:00 PM

Thank you Gina@ All the best for The New Year. Cheers - Gary

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/2/2022 12:07:00 PM

i think this is my favorite of the day, or at least one of them. FAVE

Gary Radice
Date: 1/2/2022 12:30:00 PM

Thank you Andrea. I really appreciate that. All the best for The New Year. Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood

Date: 12/31/2021 2:33:00 AM

Oops, missed this one Gary. What a smashing Yuletide write. Reminded me of my own early christmases, icy windows, blazing fire and all. Congrats on your very worthy win. Have a great new year. Terry

Gary Radice
Date: 12/31/2021 3:02:00 AM

Will do - or at least I hope I will - Same to you Terry! All the best. Cheers - Gary

Deb M

Date: 12/30/2021 7:25:00 AM

How very beautiful and captivating your poem is Gary! So enjoyed this one. Debx

Gary Radice
Date: 12/30/2021 10:35:00 AM

Thanks Deb :)

Joanna Daniel

Date: 12/28/2021 4:05:00 AM

This is absolutely beautiful, Gary, congratulations on a fine win:) love the flow in this rhyme:)

Gary Radice
Date: 12/28/2021 5:45:00 AM

Thank you Jo! All the best for The New Year. Cheers - Gary

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 12/27/2021 9:26:00 AM

Congratulations on your winning poem. I was so delighted by the rhythm of your memories so well penned. Thank you for sharing your very warm and genuine expression of your Christmas Memories. Blessings, Paulette

Gary Radice
Date: 12/27/2021 9:49:00 AM

Thanks Paulette for your lovely comments. I can't think of any other poem I've penned where I have changed the last couplet as many times as I have this one. :) It may have even changed since your comments.. apologies if so. :) All the best for The New Year. Cheers - Gary

Eve Roper

Date: 12/26/2021 9:26:00 PM

Congratulations on your win , Gary, great verse.

Gary Radice
Date: 12/27/2021 2:10:00 AM

Thanks so much Eve - I've set aside time today to read all the winning entries in B J's contest so looking forward to it. All the best for the New Year. Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul

Date: 12/26/2021 4:57:00 PM

Such a warm and cozy remembering all that's important. Nicely penned.

Gary Radice
Date: 12/27/2021 2:06:00 AM

Thanks Greg and all the best for the New Year. I've made some slight alterations to the poem since your comments and trust it still feels warm and cosy.. I was never happy with how it ended or the reference to the Wizard of Oz..I thought it sounded a bit clumsy..anyway.. I'm happier now..I think..:) Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/26/2021 2:02:00 PM

I am so happy to see this wonderful fave of mine win First place in this contest. Congratulations! Blessings xxoo

Gary Radice
Date: 12/26/2021 2:36:00 PM

Connie, thank you again for your support and encouragement and have a great New Year! Cheers - Gary xx

Christuraj Alex

Date: 12/26/2021 3:07:00 AM

A beautiful couplet rhyme. Congratulations!

Gary Radice
Date: 12/26/2021 3:18:00 AM

Thank you Christuraj. All the best for The New Year! Cheers - Gary

Mark Koplin

Date: 12/24/2021 9:15:00 PM

Congratulations on your win Gary!

Gary Radice
Date: 12/26/2021 2:45:00 AM

Thank you Mark and all the best for the New Year. Cheers - Gary

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 12/24/2021 6:20:00 PM

Congratulations on your first place win Gary! Another amazing write. Thank you for entering your poem in the contest. Merry Christmas!! May you and yours be blessed with a healthy and wonderful new year!

Gary Radice
Date: 12/26/2021 2:46:00 AM

Thank you BJ for another great competition and for your lovely comments. All the best for the new year. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/20/2021 8:44:00 AM

Ah, Gary, your golden pen is afire in this bittersweet beauty. Your poem is so poignant and so soulfully expressed in brilliant metaphors, rhythm and rhymes. Your exquisite imagery brings me to the center of this lovely yet wistful scene. Best wishes for a win, my friend, and warmest wishes for a happy holiday season for you and yours.. ~Susan

Gary Radice
Date: 12/20/2021 1:46:00 PM

Thanks so much Susan. Your wonderful words read like a poem in themselves. :) Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/19/2021 10:35:00 PM

Oh I think she will just love your entry. I was moved by your scenic old time Christmas. Your rhyme is always sublime Gary. I am Faving this Christmas gem. Blessings and Mele Kalikimaka. xxoo

Gary Radice
Date: 12/20/2021 3:45:00 AM

Thanks so much for your lovely comments and the fave Connie. Hau'oli kalikimaka a hau'oli makahiki hou :) xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/17/2021 12:56:00 PM

Enjoyed your verse Gary, I find Christmas time quite an emotional one as I look back at past Christmases and remember those no longer here, you brought back memories of the old coal fires and remember the coal men would sometimes come in for a cup of tea, looked like the black and white minstrals. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Gary Radice
Date: 12/18/2021 1:18:00 AM

Hi Tom..I remember the coalmen and also around the same time the binmen carrying those metal bins on their shoulder up the garden path and not leaving everything strewn at the front. Was it some other world back then? All the best and Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh

Date: 12/17/2021 12:08:00 PM

This is so nice Gary, written in your unique flavour, ice inside the windowsill is a great line It sparks a memory of our old draughty wooden framed windows icing up, you’ve captured the Christmas spirit quiet brilliantly, cheers David

Gary Radice
Date: 12/18/2021 1:14:00 AM

Hi David. Thanks once again for your lovely comments. It's strange how certain memories stay with you from child to adult but they do don't they? :) All the best and Cheers Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 12/17/2021 10:02:00 AM

Exquisite, IMHO. I loved the way it flowed from beginning to end with marvelous rhymes. Your theme is precious, to know that your greatest present was the presence of your mum and dad. I don't think I can remember but one Christmas with my dad. Just as well.....Good writing, my friend, as always!

Gary Radice
Date: 12/18/2021 1:10:00 AM

That's Milt! That's sad about your dad. If I'm totally honest I'm not happy how the poem finished. It needs work but as it's in a contest at the moment I'll have a go at a later time. Have a lovely Christmas Milt & best wishes Gary and Ann.

Deb M

Date: 12/17/2021 3:55:00 AM

Gary…..both beautiful and sad. Love it! Debx

Gary Radice
Date: 12/17/2021 4:48:00 AM

Thanks Deb! Once again I'm behind on reading others' poems but will hopefully catch up over the next few days. Thanks again! Cheers - Gary