A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Merry Christmas!



Click on the links for some poetry and prose ...


M - ilosz
R - umi
R  - ilke
Y  - eats

H - esse
T - horeau
S - olnit




I wish a peaceful, joyous Christmas to all my wonderful blogreaders. Thanks so much for your loyalty, and for all the warm and supportive comments you've made all year. Without you this blog would be mere chaff blowing in the wind. 

19 comments:

George said...

What Christmas bounty you have given us, Robert! When I pulled up your posting this morning, I felt much the same way that I felt as a small child waking up to toys and presents under the tree on Christmas morning. This is a gift that will keep on giving for days upon end.

I have yet to read each of the poems and postings listed in your very creative "MERRY CHRISTMAS," but I just read the first, the poem, "Eyes," by Milosz. I was just overwhelmed! It resonated with me deeply; it absolutely nailed some of the deep feelings I have experienced in recent months, especially since encountering my own vitreous detachment problems. For this poem alone, I owe you a thousand thanks, and I'm sure the others will resonate deeply as well.

Your blog has been a true blessing from the first day I discovered it. Checking out what The Solitary Walker is thinking about has become a daily ritual for me, and I greatly value not only what you have to say, which is always enlightening, but what I also learn from all of the other interesting people who are discovered through your postings.

May the Christmas holidays bring great joy and peace to you and your family, and may the coming year be full of blessings for all. Peace and Merry Christmas!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely idea - much love and greetings to you and to Carmen too.

Ruth said...

Robert, this is a creative and special gift you give in this Christmas post, a cycle of poetry -- nonlinear, and whole. It's the way I feel now, at the end of this year, partly as a result of meeting you through our blogs, and the resonant conversations we have.

ksam said...

Like little jewel boxes to be opened one at a time and savored!! Thank you...something to look forward to as I slog thru the horror that is pre holiday cleaning!! :-)

Anonymous said...

Many thanks not just for this cool post but for all that you give us!
Slainte/Shalom,
Cal

Mister Roy said...

Thanks for a rich and absorbing blog-year.
Hope you have an enjoyable break.
Much love.

The Solitary Walker said...

George, what can I say? I am just absolutely delighted you enjoy my thoughts and scribblings, my quotes and poetic references - that they mean as much to you as they do to me. Thanks so, so much for this message, and for your Christmas wishes. I am truly touched. All the very best to you and your own family this joyful Christmas time.

Pat - much love to you too from Carmen & me. Have a lovely Christmas. Will call in the New Year.

Ruth - non-linear, and whole. Yes, I like that concept very much. It's like a late Miles Davis jazz riff. Joyeux Noel!

Karin! Pre-holiday cleaning? I suppose it's got to be done - but why don't you crack open the cava, bang on some Springsteen and do some Camino dreamin'?

Thanks, Dithreabhach (is that an anagram?)... and thanks, Roy, too. Love & best wishes to you also.

gleaner said...

Its taken a little while as I had to open all the wonderful posts. With some very special and inspirational posts there were also the essential amusing posts - like the hostel encounter with the farting, snoring Frenchman, the Belgian with the nightmare and the loud Italians (this encounter reminding me of my own horror sleeping nights in hostels many years ago). Oh, and learning about the roundabout appreciation society gave me a good laugh. Your blog has it all!


Wishing you the absolute best!

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks Bella. I suppose the worst scenario would be to be closeted in the same hostel as a fully paid up member of the Roundabout Appreciation Society and no other lodgers...

(Did I tell you, btw, there's a very nice little roundabout not far from here. It's got trees in the middle, grass growing, and a very pretty little concrete sculpture... What? Do I hear you snoring already?)

Vagabonde said...

You have a lovely snow landscape around you – I enjoyed your pictures very much. Here in Nashville, Tennessee, the weatherman said we could have snow by Sunday – maybe. Have a merry time and much joy for Christmas.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Thanks, Robert, for this gift of a post and the constant generosity of your blog and blog friendship over the entire year. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

Anonymous said...

They're called 'islands' here.

Robert, thanks for this post - I'm looking forward to spending some time with it once Christmas busyness has gone - it's a bit like wrapped presents under the tree at the moment!

Andy

Anonymous said...

I look forward to reading more into and through the New Year. You give me much inspiration and I am thankful for your gift in my world!
Happy Christmas!

ksam said...

LMAO!! The Jersey girl will happily be listening to Springsteen today...and taking time to read blogs and dream about Camino's! Gracias mi amigo!

Johnnie Walker said...

Hola Robert

George said it all for me:

"Your blog has been a true blessing from the first day I discovered it. Checking out what The Solitary Walker is thinking about has become a daily ritual for me..."

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and continued health to walk around thinking next year!

Abrazos

John

Friko said...

I am very glad the chaff blew my way, dear Robert. It's been lovely getting to know you.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

am said...

Thanks so much for Christmas gift of those links to previous posts of poetry and prose and photos!

It's been a challenge to be quiet for so long. I have a few days off work before Christmas and have time to write.

As Christmas nears, I remember Dylan Thomas and his "words to the close and holy darkness" from A Child's Christmas in Wales."

There is great joy and peace to be found this time of year. Thank you for reminding me!

Kind wishes always,
am

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks Vagabonde, Lorenzo, Andy, Helen, Karin, Johnnie and Friko! Best wishes to you all.

And am - it's good to be reminded of 'A Child's Christmas in Wales.' Have a nice rest from work. Joy and peace. Indeed. That's the theory!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I wish you the kind of Christmas you love most, SW, and thank you for your wonderful inspirational blog, and your most welcome visits too!