Short Mantlepiece Poems

crystal clear manger

Jesus on the mantlepiece

frost bite on the bench...

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Pictures on the mantlepiece
Of those in your heart,
Black and white or with a crease
Where they have come so far;
Taken only yesterday,
Yet forty years ago;
Remember when you used to play 
Out in the sun, the snow?
But the faces slowly fade,
Growing weaker in the light;
You feel you have outstayed
Your time here ends tonight.
Now a beautiful tear
Catches in your ruffled skin;
You will leave it here, 
And wait for it to begin....

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The Ship In The Bottle

Who can't admire the ship in the bottle
that sits on the mantlepiece of a stately home
with it's windblown sails, its row of cannons
and it's loyal crew.

A ship that will never encounter storms 
or risk danger of running aground on jagged reefs
never seeing action or battling the high seas
and never discover new lands.

A ship of dignity, imprisoned in a glass dome
it will always remain the ship in the bottle....

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Old country house rich colored rugs hot wind
Gallopping hair whipped wildly at his cheeks
Solid double doors  top of stairway  top coat
Mantlepiece  photographs  in ornate frames 
Small  white  dog  head  between  its  paws
China  tea perfect lawn afternoon ceremony
Bowler hat  spirited distinguished  manner 
Smile of  welcome, something  in  his eyes
She trusted his good manners + hospitality
Embraced  the shadowy play of candlelight
Scent of peppermint musk vanilla surprise!...

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