Monday, January 13, 2014

God's Art

This week's Trifecta challenge is to add 33, one-syllable words to the opening snippet that goes:  "The first time I saw......".     Here are my 33, one-syllable words.  Enjoy.


God's Art

The first time I saw snow,
I felt as though God was not on my side.

Why else would His art fall from the sky,
white, on my brown skin, 
then, fade to dew
and mix with my tears?


 When I was just a boy, a doctor from India came to our town in Nova Scotia, Canada.  Needing a place to stay, my mother offered to take her in until such time as the rest of her family arrived and they found a home of their own.  One of my most vivid memories of this doctor's stay with us was her reaction the first time we had snow in the winter.  She was so excited, rushing out of our house and into the yard, no jacket, bare arms, as the snowflakes fell from the sky.  She was delighted with the coolness of the flakes upon her skin and the beauty of their design. But, what stands out most was her surprise/disappointment as the cool flakes melted against the warmth of her skin and dripped away.  She was so shocked that I swear there were tears in her eyes.

There is much to be said for the personal growth that can happen when you willingly expose yourself to new cultures, climates, customs and so on.  This lady is now an established medical professional with multiple clinics operating all through eastren Canada but yet, the melting of snowflakes was one of her first experiences in Canada; one that she, and my family, will never forget.

68 comments:

  1. I see similar reactions when kids see the ocean for the first time. It's fun to witness such wonder and surprise.

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  2. This is beautiful, Tom. I, too, love the snow. And the first snowfall entrances me as I let it fall on me just like the doctor. But then I'm ready for it to go away (especially when it turns to dirty snow).

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    1. Totally agree! The first snow of the season is beautiful and magical. But, it gets old fast. Everything is grey and wet and dirty round my home right about now. :(

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  3. I really appreciate the back story but without it, my imagination took me to something similar.

    I liked this a lot.

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  4. I love the back story on this and her reaction to the snow. It is a beautiful thing!

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    1. I remember her just exploding out of the house and shrieking with joy! I've never forgotten the exhilaration of her pure emotional response. Too bad we become so guarded with our displays of happiness.

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  5. A beautiful poem Tom.
    I always find falling snow so magical.

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    1. After the tenth storm or so, the magic becomes a curse. But, I hear what you are saying. It is always fun to be in the classroom with the little guys when those first flakes start to drift down. Their excitement is the only thing I've seen that matches my Mom's doctor friend that day. Such innocent joy! :)

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  6. A beautiful story. Well done!

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  7. Beautifully written.

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    1. Thank you very much for stopping by with your kind comment. :)

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  8. wonderful take on your memory, Tom. So glad you shared it with us.

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  9. Oh I love this story.. this is high class poetry... and your backstory did not dissapoint..

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    1. Coming from the Poet Laureate himself, this is high praise indeed! Thanks ever so much, Bjorn! Your continued support is much appreciated. :)

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    1. Thanks a lot, ElGuapo! It was a moment that still makes me smile today when I think about it. :)

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  11. To see someone experience snow for the first time would be nothing short of magical. I thought this was a beautiful piece too, Tom:)

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    1. With child-like innocence, she ventured forth into the snow. With a joyous heart did she cry at the beauty of Nature's gift. I still get Christmas presents from this lady. She is a kind and generous soul and was fully deserving of her moment of wonder. We should all be so lucky as to steal these magic moments from Life. :)

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  12. I feel like most things that you see for the first time, a child, snow, the ocean, even a thunderstorm..are miracles. I have come to believe that miracles are just extraordinary ordinary things.

    your use of words and the backstory showed us that. It was so beautiful, Tom.

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    1. Thanks, Kir! I'd like to hope that I still have a small bit of innocence and wonder left in my heart and my bones so that miracles happen for me, too, or, in the words of the Polar Express, that I continue to hear the sweet sound of that bell. :) Thanks for your wonderful comments. They mean the world.

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  13. This beautifully captures a moment of wonder and awe, when we humans feel inadequate. Lovely poem, Tom!

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  14. I had a Mom who lived a life of kindness and generosity so, if you see that in me then, she has done her job as a parent, I suppose. :) There is beauty all around us; my mother's gift to me was showing me how to spot it and savour it and share it with others. Thanks, as always, Jo-Anne, for continuing to encourage me to write and write some more. :)

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  15. Thank you, Kymm. I enjoyed writing about it and experiencing it when it happened. I appreciate your terrific comment very much. Thanks, as always, for being in my corner. :)

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  16. well, Tom, this is a lovely piece and your explanation behind the story completes it beautifully. thank you.

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    1. Thanks, Sun! Thank you for commenting. So happy that you liked it. Take care. :)

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  17. This is poetry - And it reminds me of our foreign exchange student seeing snow (significant snow) for the first time.

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    1. Thank you, Kelly. Coming from such an accomplished wordsmith as you, I am, indeed, honoured. :)

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  18. My post this week is about snow too, so really enjoyed yours. I can relate very well. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment :-)

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    1. Thanks, C.C. for being so like-minded and complimentary. :)

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  19. This is gorgeous and wistful and sad and beautiful - I was blown away. And the accompanying story just makes it more poignant. Absolutely lovely, Tom.

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    1. Such emotional highs and lows, all in one short moment of wonder. Glad it spoke to you. Thank you very much for your kind words. :)

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  20. I am from India and I too haven't seen snow flakes yet . loved your simple writing .

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    1. We have lots of snow, over many months. When snow first starts, it is all magical and dreamy and we all get excited. However, after awhile, the snow turns from white to a dirty grey, because of pollution and being walked on, etc. We are happy to see the snow go once our Spring time comes. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a very nice comment. :)

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  21. Very poetic.....You just left me imagining how one'll feel shedding tears in snow...I haven't saw a snowfall ever in my life and it seems to be my biggest desire now ! Beautifully done :)

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  22. Yes, my mother's friend was very surpised....first, at how beautiful the flakes looked as they landed on her skin and then, secodnly, she was surprised at how quickly they melted away, taking with them the beauty of their design. But, such discoveries come with being in a culture that is different than you are used to. Now, she has seen more snow that she cares to count, I am sure. :) Thanks for leaving such a lovely comment. I appreciate your kind words.

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  23. I love this. Beautiful. You really hit this one out of the park!

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  24. What a cool response and a great story! Thanks for linking up.

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    1. "Cool response", eh? I saw what you did there. Funny folks, I tell ya. :)

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  25. Beautiful work. You've painted quite a picture.

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    1. Thank you very much for the kind compliment. I appreciate it very much. :)

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    1. Thank you, Margit. Thanks for stopping by. I am thankful for your comment. :)

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  27. I liked your response but the backstory really was great. I lived in Alberta for a year and what I remember most about Canadians is there openness to people from all over plus how friendly they were. If I did not have family to return to, I would have had to been kicked out.

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  28. :) What can I say to that except, to smile. On behalf of all Canadians, thanks for the kind words. :)

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  29. Lovely story behind a great piece of work

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  30. Thank you for such a nice, concise, efficiently-worded comment. I appreciate it alot. :)

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  31. So beautiful, Tom. "Why else would His art fall from the sky?" Stunning. And I loved the back story too.

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    1. Wow! I am humbled by such high praise. Thanks for making my night, Momo. :)

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  32. Wow, so beautiful and thought provoking!

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    1. Thank you for your very encouraging words. I appreciate and value the opinions of such good writers as yourself. :)

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  33. Your piece is simply gorgeous. And the story only makes it more so.

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    1. Thank you, ever so much. You comments mean a lot to me. :)

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  34. Thank you. I appreciate your comment very much. :)

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  35. This was gorgeous. It left me wanting to reread it over and over, savoring every word and imagery.

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  36. Thank you, Rebecca. That was certainly a comment that I liked reading over and over, again and again. :)

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  37. I love reading your work, Tom. It always seems as if every word is carefully chosen--and to lovely results. This is no exception. Thanks for sharing the amazing back story. Beautiful work ... again.

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  38. Thanks, Ivy. I am trying to learn and to grow as a writer. I am not where some of you are yet but, I do feel as though I am taking small steps in the right direction as these challenges unfold. Part of what is helping me move forward is the support of this community and of people like you. Thanks for your kind words. They mean a lot. :)

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