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In memory of my brother, Tommy (1943-2018)
Snow would wiggle
beneath our streetlights
when each December
seemed a miracle. I loved
snapping the kitchen shade
to find Albert Street icing
white. I loved hurrying
my homework to walk
with my brothers and our dog
across the NJ Turnpike overpass
where miles of brake lights
and jingling tire chains
made us wish for Christmas.
Our collie would grow
a slush beard as our words
turned to steam, then faded
as fast as the foot and paw prints
we'd leave back to our house
that looked like a gift
wrapped in white around
our porch light burning gold
into the streams of falling snow.
From Alone with Love Songs (Grayson Books, 2011).
Used here with permission.
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Edwin Romond is a poet, playwright, and composer. Now retired, he taught English for more than 30 years in Wisconsin and New Jersey. Edwin's award-winning work has appeared in numerous literary journals, college text books, and anthologies, and has been featured on National Public Radio. His newest collection, Man at the Railing, from NYQ Books, recently won the Laura Boss Narrative Poetry Award. A native of Woodbridge, New Jersey, Edwin now lives in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, with his wife. Learn more about him at www.edwinromond.com.
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Anastasia:
Thank you for such a delightful walk in the snow today!
Posted 12/15/2020 03:01 PM
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Sharon Waller Knutson:
Lovely nostalgia poem that reminds me of my childhood in Montana. Love images of wiggling snow, snapping shades, jingling tire chains, slush bearded collie.
Posted 12/08/2020 01:44 PM
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paradea:
What a beautiful poem of memories and wonderful, unique descriptions! Love it!!!
Posted 12/08/2020 12:16 PM
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carlpalmer:
Favorite line, "snapping the kitchen shade"
Posted 12/08/2020 11:51 AM
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KevinArnold:
I loved �across the NJ Turnpike overpass/
where miles of brake lights/
and jingling tire chains/
made us wish for Christmas,� especially those jingling tire chains, which, living in California now I seldom here. But I grew up on Long Island and these lines brought my boyhood back.
Posted 12/08/2020 10:57 AM
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Ronaccount:
Wonderful tribute. Vivid images. Great work.
Posted 12/08/2020 09:37 AM
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michael escoubas:
Such a vivid picture; so full of color and action and the most important part "LOVE". Tommy would appreciate this!
Posted 12/08/2020 08:53 AM
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Gilbert Allen:
A fine poem to celebrate the season.
Posted 12/08/2020 08:37 AM
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Larry Schug:
This poem is a joy to read aloud, filled with subtle, unobtrusive rhyme, assonance and consonance. I think only siblings can share certain stories, stories that bind them in a very special way. It brings back my late brother, Mike and my own stories. Thank you. Good work.
Posted 12/08/2020 08:19 AM
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Pat Brisson:
So much to love in this poem. That phrase "when each December seemed a miracle" and the "jingling tire chains" (something I haven't heard in a few decades) and the image of "our house that looked like a gift" Beautiful! Thanks, Ed!
Posted 12/08/2020 08:04 AM
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