Dedicated to my family and friends, wherever they are...
Definitions
- What is it?
How is it possible
you do not yet know?
Well, do not worry
for such a trifle!
I will tell you
what it means.
Am I not, really,
your best friend?
It is, actually, a... shell.
- Seriously?
- Yeeeah,
a big one
as the right hand fist
of a child.
It is carved with mastery
by a famous master,
in white pearl colour,
in a far faaaar away country.
The ocean waves
bring it ashore
only once
- at the end and beginning
of the year -
in a night clear as glass,
but only after all the trees
have fallen asleep,
so tired of crying.
(You see, at that time
trees are punished;
they must wear
tattered clothes and pyjamas
for all the mistakes made
during the year - therefore they are
so miserable.)
So even when
the shell reaches the shore,
suddenly ignites
into outer darkness,
to all the houses
in villages and towns,
everywhere,
lots of colored lights!
- Wow!
- But it gets so cold,
that the very stars
begin to tremble
and, not to freeze,
they are spinning on the spot
to the left, then to the right,
that the whole sky is full
of thousands of sparks
- the adults call them:
snowflakes.
It is becoming,
increasingly colder
- Brrrr!
- that people
can heat themselves up
only if
they closely approach
each other
and shake their hands
- only then
it is really good for them.
But I have to tell you something
more important:
If you happen
to find yourself around
when it arrives
you have to bend,
to take it lightly in your hands
- with great attention
because it slips! -
to caress it until
not one grain of sand remains
and hide it under
many layers of garments,
to not be cold anymore,
right at the heart.
They say that
if you do so,
from that moment your heart
will start to beat so warm
that you will become
able to give a lot of gifts,
and will make many happy!
Then,
when you put to the ear
that shell,
you hear the ocean waves
sing carols and bells ring.
That is,
in fact,
what adults call...
Winter.
For Some Day...
Some day,
when I grow
big and important,
just like you,
I will make
a toothless snowman
laughing from ear to ear,
even in the yard
of an elderly person’s home.
I will bring him
a big red clown nose,
a hat with a brim,
funny, tilted on one side
and a pair of large glasses.
I will not give him
just one arm outstretched
but two – always open
for a hug.
And I will sit him
by the window
for all grandparents out there,
who have forgotten
to tell stories
and are bored to death
in the days of long winter,
when no one
visits any longer.
They will watch him
when they wake
from the very early morning,
and all day long!
Then perhaps
they would smile again,
as in the good old days,
even a little...
Wouldn’t it be a good idea,
daddy?
A Delivery Successfully Completed
Last night
was spinning around on top,
a stork.
She carried,
hanging in beak,
and beautifully tied
with a blue bow,
a noisy basket.
But because
of abundant snowfall
and lack of vision,
no address was found
and so her work was
largely stalled.
So tired of looking,
she stopped
on a telegraph pole
to rest a bit
and decide where to go.
She stretched out her neck
in all directions,
but failed
to make a decision,
and was increasingly disorientated.
I think she was saying in her mind:
„Is there any point
in looking longer
or should I let it
go back to the sender?”
And as she stood so,
in total confusion,
suddenly,
from a chimney,
began to rise into the sky
such a burning desire,
basket shaped,
that its light went
clear across
the whole horizon!
And our stork,
as she saw it,
stood no longer thinking,
Vruum,
immediately
spread her wings,
flew in there
and quietly,
careful not to upset him,
delivered the package
exactly
to its destination.
Remained for a moment
on one leg,
and, in a corner knew
only by her,
hidden underneath
the left wing feathers,
she marked with her beak
an X,
as in X and 0 game.
Then, gulping satisfied,
she took flight again,
fluttering slowly
to
the post office
of origin.
Proposal
I like you:
you are very nice,
always cheerful,
and seem
a good boy,
not as our neighbour’s boy
across the street,
who told me that
if I get close to their gate,
he will beat me with a stick!
You know, I am new here
and hardly anyone
notices me.
It’s true,
you seem
a bit...
older than me,
but it does not
bother me at all.
I hope, neither you!
I have a lot of games and toys
that I could bring here
and share,
and we would spend
a great time together!
I promise that
I would slip to see you
each evening,
to tell you one of those
nice stories
learned from my mother.
And when I leave
I would give you
a good-night hug.
How about it -
would you like to be
my friend,
man of snow?
Please!!!!
Treaty On A High
I was made aware
that Your Highness, Winter,
when you receive
an important complaint
from the International Court
in charge of
all children on earth,
you get upset very much
and punish children
who are extremely naughty.
Specifically,
they are isolated by you
in their rooms
as they cannot go outdoors
to play with other children.
Your invisible soldiers
attack them with some
very dangerous weapons,
which give them
runny noses,
coughing
and a fever.
Honorable Madam,
I promise you solemnly that,
if you withdraw
your whole army
from my territory
in two days,
without other complications -
with injections
and visits to doctors -
While you will hold
the Presidency
of the Seasons’ Commission,
I will be obedient
to my parents,
I will do homework
every day,
I will not tease or torment
a neighbour,
I will not ruin any toy,
and I will not pull the tail
of any cat.
In addition,
I assure you
I will give audience
to the PC gaming
only one hour a day,
(no, no, well)
only 30 minutes,
and only one hour of cartoons
on television.
In these conditions
so favorable
for both parties,
I respectfully ask
if you would kindly sign
the peace treaty
between our two countries.
Yours sincerely,
Prince X,
President of my room.
Replacing One With Another
Mommy,
do not let it ring,
the alarm clock,
every morning
to go to school.
Better
you wake me,
with a bell,
taken from
grandather’s sleigh
pulled by horses.
So,
I will imagine,
every morning,
awakening,
that it is the winter vacation
and, moreover,
I will always remember
that I must be obedient
if I want a Christmas gift!
Choosing A Gift
One winter day
a polar bear
descended
from a book of stories
off my shelf
and slowly walked
along the streets
to seek for himself
a Christmas gift.
Those who met him
thought he was a man
dressed for an ad,
so that
no one took notice.
It seems, however,
he was
a bit too selective,
for no way could he find
something he liked
in the stores
and, finally,
did not buy anything.
However,
the next day
was there great dismay
at the Zoo
as they discovered
the female polar bear cage
open
but she...
nowhere to be found...
They annouced her missing
and messed up, crazy,
all over town,
but no way could they find
where she was.
But I am
the only one to know!
Because now,
instead of one -
two polar bears
are in my book of stories
and live happily ever after!
That is, indeed,
a Christmas gift!
Comparison
A true Christmas gift
given by a child
to another child,
would be,
for example,
when a boy
would give
his brand new
plush pony,
which he loves the most
to another boy,
who has no toy
and is so poor
he could never,
whilst still a child
even straddle a real horse.
That, applied to adults,
would mean,
for example,
an adult
giving
a shiny new car
to another adult,
that is so poor
he cannot afford
to buy his own.
But this is
so unlikely to happen,
that it is almost
an impossibility.
In conclusion,
the children’s world
is still the one
that is closer
to reality!
The CV Of The White Wolf
For three days
I was wandering
through the forest
and could not find
anything to eat.
Crisis this winter is large
- bitter as never before -
when my ancestor
was a puppy.
So I decided
to convert myself
into a domestic dog,
and to apply
for a high position
with the people
from civilization.
Descended from
a family of note,
I am mannered and educated
in one of the most
renowned faculties,
in accordance with
the high law of the strongest.
I graduated
Magna Cum Laude!
I have a white fur
very presentable,
I lick it each day
with care and attention
in order to follow
the latest fashion.
Particularly now, in winter,
it is perfectly adapted
to prevailing
environmental tone,
and in the rest of the year
it also gives me
such a note
of distinction
and kindness (for the naive)
as can not be
more convenient.
My teeth are sparkly
and strong
and know perfectly
how to tear
a vulnerable prey.
I sharpen them regularly,
together with claws,
to impose respect on others,
and be always able to fight
life and death,
with any powerful enemy.
Also, I howl very nicely,
(especially
in full-moon nights).
I have the art
of public speaking
at my finger tips,
and, on the other hand,
when necessary,
I can be touchingly romantic.
I have extensive experience
in hunting
and warm recommendations
from leading brands
in the forest.
I am smart, determined
and cunning,
quick, ambitious
and unscrupulous.
well resistant to stress,
to an extended program,
to a bad mood,
and I can pretend to overlook
as a player
any rudeness or stupidity
of the master,
as long as they do ensure me
a brilliant career.
For material compensations
I am open to negotiation.
All the gifts
and exceptional training,
make me
the ideal candidate,
and these should ensure
smoothly
my success
in their world.
So tarry not for a minute here,
I hasten to submit
my CV.
Play
We are running
screaming madly
around the white man,
fossilized
in the museum of winter.
I catch you
and you laugh,
child with brown eyes!
You trip me up, scamp
to embrace together
the velvety carpet
of the earth.
We flap both arms
as if large wings
of flying angels.
And the signs of their stay
among mortals
- one large and one small -
remain as two seals
on the bottom
of a royal letter,
which will go far, very far,
looking for
a maverick prince...
Then,
we go back
to the good statue of snow
and begin to tease it:
you shoot his cap
over his eyes
and give him a flip
across his long nose;
me? I take his broom,
and with a ceremonious bow,
I invest you
the Round Table
Knight of Honor.
We just keep on playing
all afternoon,
and the court
hears our laughter.
But time is also here,
tricky, deceiving
and uninvited
in our playground.
I would like so much
to grab him - right now!
to tie him closely,
and get him prisoner
in an iron cage
on a desert island,
at least for a while,
so you... will not grow old.
And then I can freely enjoy
the great and small wonder
you are,
and to play as now,
inseparable
from anyone and anything,
day after day,
laughing without any care
that tomorrow
I will find myself... alone.
But my selfishness
fortunately,
is not lasting.
I shall do no other than
banish these thoughts
as a drunkard blowfly
and rejoice in what you are
Here and Now!
So, kid,
let’s play!
New Year Congratulations
For the new year
just started
snowing its moments
over you,
I wish
that every white hair
adorning you
will not make you sad.
- But, remember
that the winter of life
can be very nice
if you spend it
singing,
telling your wisdom
with mirth,
and giving
those gifts
to others
most needed...
A Parent’s Gifts
My dear,
a hard winter
is about to come upon you,
and I hasten to act
before it comes
to bestow you
with something.
First,
a thick hat,
under which
your good thoughts
are sheltered from
the darkness of stupidity
and the blizzard
of wickedness.
Then,
a long scarf,
under which
your warm words
will remain so,
protected from
the claw of the cold,
and a sore throat,
so you can no longer say
„please”, „thank you”, „forgive me” or
„I love you” -
that would cause me
great sadness!
I have also a coat
tailored especially
for bad weather.
so the little heart
of an inexperienced child
will be safe
from deep wounds.
I did not forget
a pair of strong boots,
so, even when your feet
go over slippery paths
or through large snowdrifts,
they can go
bravely on.
I have prepared gloves, too,
so your hands
will never freeze,
stoping from giving
a glass of water to the thirsty,
or a hug to someone lonely.
Now
I feel happier:
you are properly equipped.
I give you one more thing:
a smile
and a kiss on the forehead,
and, now ready,
you can go to play
with life.
And remember, please:
do not delay too much,
I am waiting for you eagerly
with a warm bowl of soup.
Worry
For a while
it has been snowing nonstop
with big flakes of snow,
over my fragile little heart,
and I began to have
a terrible fear
that if the snow
did not stop at once
my heart would be
entirely covered!
What if
someone will confuse it
with a white ball,
empty inside,
and start to play with it,
throwing it back and forth
or kicking it without mercy
on the wall?
Desire
I would like
ever not to be cold,
but Your presence,
O God,
to keep me warm
throughout eternity...
Longing...
I have tired eyes and heart
since I am waiting for you
at the window.
I would stick
my nose and hands
to the cold glass
if I would not be afraid
that the traces
would betray my longing
to others.
They were ready on time,
all the preparations,
for your arrival:
The gates, polished,
remaining open
each day and night
the road smoothed,
carefully cleaned of snow
and watched over
by phospherescent stones
lest you get snow-bound
or lost;
the yard full of lights,
breathtakingly igniting
just when you arrive;
and, of course, the red carpet,
rolled on the steps
of the entrance;
oh, yes,
richly decorated rooms
fit for royalty,
the long table laden
with delicacies,
the servants in white, smiling,
hovering to fulfil you wishes:
music, quiet, the candles
and many other things
that I do not remember...
Even the clouds were filled
with white, sparkling confetti,
to sift over our heads
at the crossing
between the years.
And
I
was there
in the most beautiful
ball dress.
But you, however,
still not coming,
either this winter...
Perhaps, in fact,
you will not come
in the clothes of the prince
and with a large entourage,
but will want
to disguise yourself
as a common man.
In this case,
I do not know
how I can recognize you.
Probably in the gentle eyes,
the words spoken wisely
and without ostentation,
and that your arms,
(earlier outstretched firmly
to help an old man
to climb the stairs)
will know
to embrace me warmly,
as a dear friend,
long sought
and finally,
found.
Well, I will wait another year!
Every cold night
the fire in the fireplace
will be lit,
ready to listen
with its ears perked up,
as we laugh,
seated cross-legged
on a soft carpet,
and reminiscing
over a cup of hot tea
the stories collected
over the years.
If you do not come even now,
I will break
the window of my longing
with sling and stone,
I will take my bag
and go,
wandering
around the world.
Who knows,
maybe,
someday -
looking for me,
you will find me...
A Unique Meeting
Between me and you
is a huge ocean,
and as though
that is not enough
with this winter, now,
it has frozen so hard!
Who knows
when it will melt
and we can finally
see each other!
Honey,
what about
if we both put on
ice skates
and meet
at mid-ocean?
Once we get tired
of waltzing on ice,
we can start off together, slowly
hand in hand,
chattering about all,
leaving winter behind
and greeting the spring.
Farewell, Winter!
Winter,
you are so beautiful,
but wild and bad,
as a mustang
that is good
only when he wants.
I sang songs to you,
but you have loved me
nothing more gentle,
I told you stories
and I wrote you poems,
but you still have thrown me
violently,
to the ground.
And now,
when you leave,
of course - because you choose so -
I can only tell you,
sighing
„Go.”
Until you come again,
I will compose
other songs on guitar
- more beautiful -
and other poems.
Perhaps,
some day,
you will
really
love me...
Farewell,
Winter,
farewell!
About the author:
Gabriela is writing prose, poetry, plays for youth and lyrics for songs since many years ago, but she did not start till this year to express her creativity to the large public and to the professionals. She decided to publish her first book of poetry in Romania where she lives at the beginning of this year and then to keep going in the literature field in her country and abroad.
Apart of these, she is working as a secretary in a health center and she loves travelling, decorating, photography, music and being involved in humanitarian acts.
Imprint
Publication Date: 01-22-2010
All Rights Reserved