{"id":4574,"date":"2018-12-10T04:44:57","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T04:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/?p=4574"},"modified":"2018-12-14T19:48:32","modified_gmt":"2018-12-14T19:48:32","slug":"small-wonder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/?p=4574","title":{"rendered":"Small Wonder"},"content":{"rendered":"

This I know to be true: Every day holds some wonder, however small. That fact strikes me so keenly I tend to be on the lookout for the day\u2019s offering.<\/p>\n

On the internet, I saw a photo of a domed observatory in the Swiss Alps called Sphinx.* Atop an 11,716-foot pinnacle, it faces the 13,123-foot Jungfrau, an Alpine wonder I saw in person in 1971.<\/p>\n

The observatory holds equal fascination. Built in 1937, Sphinx is reached by an elevator constructed on the side of the pinnacle. That elevator is reached after a train ride to Europe\u2019s highest train station. Talk about achieving heights.<\/p>\n

It makes my heart soar to see this image in December 2018, as it soared 47 years ago, looking at this snow-covered Swiss alp. Visiting Interlaken, Switzerland as a young woman who that year would give birth to her first child, I felt overwhelmed with wonder.<\/p>\n

I know everything wondrous doesn\u2019t inspire such feelings. Fear is a learned response to the new, and it can be warranted, if only in the moments it takes to get a grip and remember there is tomorrow.<\/p>\n

In honor of this season and the tomorrows of a new year, I wish you many wonders as I share some of my poems and Vincent Mancuso<\/a> paintings observing mundane and wondrous moments.   <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/a>

Pass-a-Grille Christmas,
pastel by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mixed Gift Bag
\n(Circa 1975)<\/h4>\n

On each imperfect Christmas past, 
\nI lonely reminisced for those
\nwho moved the tree \u201cOver there?\u201d
\nand wrapped late gifts with a kiss.<\/p>\n

On each imperfect holy night, 
\nI set table for a Benedict brunch
\nand hung two dozen candy canes
\nmore likely to be munched.<\/p>\n

Everything to do was done
\nby strict Home Journal <\/em>means.
\nEvery detail met for sleepy heads
\nwith commercialized dreams.<\/p>\n

Overspending, ever spent
\nin Christmas carol grooves.
\nBuying secular opinions
\nof how true love is proved.<\/p>\n

 <\/h4>\n

 <\/h4>\n

The Pageant
\nAsbury U.M. Church, New York
\nDecember 1978 <\/h4>\n

The pony hired to play
\npageant donkey
\ntook his job
\nvery seriously.<\/p>\n

Obviously, a method actor,
\nhe balked as a donkey would.
\nStood still 
\nwhen Joseph prodded.
\nVery still
\nthough Mary
\ncrooned and nodded.<\/p>\n

He at last caved in
\nso the pageant
\ncould begin for
\nangels,
\nshepherds,
\nkings.<\/p>\n

Seems he could not settle
\nfor a walk on part
\nSaw his role as central,
\nthe very heart
\nof the story.<\/p>\n

Once tied to a tree,
\neven he could see,
\nhis moment of glory
\nhad passed.<\/p>\n

Just another member
\nof the cast. 
\nIn the shadow.
\nIn the wings.<\/p>\n

But in the
\nvery beginning,
\nhe had a stubborn
\nhold on things.<\/p>\n

 <\/h4>\n

When Vincenzo Caroled
\nConnecticut, 1994<\/h4>\n

The cold hands of the caroler are
\ncupped in her convalescent warmth.
\nAbiding on a melody,
\nsome 90 Yuletides passed.
\nJolting as the rush of years
\ndaring to be her last.<\/p>\n

Her eyes are wide
\nas childhood ponds.
\nHer laugh
\ncould blithely
\nskate along.<\/p>\n

She cups his hands.
\nShe warms his heart.
\nThen, in a flash,
\nthe caroler's gone.<\/p>\n

A melody and
\nmemory play on.<\/p>\n

 <\/h4>\n

Gulf Coast Evensong 
\nFlorida, 2000<\/h4>\n

Stern lights stream,
\ncandles on the altar
\nof a setting sun.<\/p>\n

Clouds, billowy linen,
\nenfolding the golden rays.
\nPalm tops,
\ngraceful arches in a chapel
\nof our Gulf Coast days.<\/p>\n

In power and windblown pews,
\nwe sip a chalice of glowing hues.
\nBreathe in orange, rose and blue,
\nStill hurtling through space
\nin our place with a view.
\nNot coming round again.<\/p>\n

Earth journeys into evening
\nsing a bountiful Amen.
\nChant of angels on the bow
\npray starlit paths to Heaven.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Siena's Christmas,
\npastel by Vincent Mancuso<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Peace on Earth,
colored pencil by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>

Second Snow, pastel by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sunset Sail,
pastel by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

 <\/h4>\n

The Wreath on Our Door
\n2006<\/h4>\n

The wreath on our door 
\nis decked for the season.
\nGone the fall berries.
\nGone the fall leaves.<\/p>\n

The promise of New Year,
\nof seasons to come,
\nIs decked with our hope
\nfor health, bounty and peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/h4>\n

 <\/h4>\n

 <\/h4>\n

Dateline: Gulf of Mexico
\nInterview with Two Locals
\n2007<\/h4>\n

\u201cWe'll, we\u2019re waiting for 
\nthe end of day, 
\nthe boat parade,
\narmada of a
\nseason\u2019s joy.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re watching for
\nthe dolphin lights,
\nthe snowman\u2019s orb,
\nthe sails edged bright.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re all set for
\nthe carolers.
\nthe Santa guy,
\nthe Silent Night.
\nAnd you?\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Wreath on Our Door,
pastel by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Two Locals,
acrylic by Vincent Mancuso<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Note<\/strong>: To celebrate the close of the 10th year of my website, I've added links to two Christmas stories to this page and the Short Story<\/a> page. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Breaking the Seal<\/a> - A multimillionaire tightwad cuts loose for a magical Christmas - with a little help from his friend.<\/p>\n

Male Order<\/a> - A dear old gent does his Christmas shopping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*Sphinx Observatory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This I know to be true: Every day holds some wonder, however small. That fact strikes me so keenly I tend to be on the lookout for the day\u2019s offering. On the internet, I saw a photo of a domed observatory in the Swiss Alps called Sphinx.* Atop an 11,716-foot pinnacle, it faces the 13,123-foot Jungfrau, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4574"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4664,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4574\/revisions\/4664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reggiemorrisey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}