I wrote this poem several years ago about the magic provided by the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Christmas. What message was in those celestial colours and sounds? As a child, I thought the sky talked to me and told me a creation story.
I grew up in Northern Alberta and Christmas was a special time. I recall cold winter nights. I mean they were cold–almost minus 40 at night. Our windows upstairs were almost completely frosted over. On moonlit nights, the light kept me awake or that is what I told others.
During Advent, my mom and older brothers walked across the street for evening Mass. The younger ones, including me, went to bed. I did not fall asleep right away and would watch out the window for them to come home. I thought no one saw me, but my Mom would come up and tell me to go to bed.
At that time of year, I recall is the Northern Lights and how you could hear them as well as see them light up the sky as they danced across the sky. We don’t see them very often in Edmonton with the urban light.
When we spend time at the farm at Christmas, we hear and see them again. On cold nights we hear the train (about a mile away) and it sounds like it is coming through the house.
Small children–
Breathlessly awaiting,
Peering through frosted window
Soaking it in.
Heavens rippling–
Lights undulating;
A celebratory fury
An indisputable guide.
This old house speaks;
Nature answers–
Heavens crackle
Sweet symphonic sounds shimmering.
Earth’s floor–
Blanketed in white
Celestial colours speaking
Capturing young senses.
A vivid winter scene,
A sensual, sensory palette,
Reminding us–
Christ’s Mass is here.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
🙂 lovely. And, amen.
Thank you.
i love this very much. merry christmas to you and yours –
Thank you. Merry Christams to you and your loved ones.
I enjoyed your poem very much, and was moved by your childhood memories of this season. Wishing you and your family a very sweet and warm holiday. May your Christmas be one of inspiration and holiness as well.
Thank you Shimon. I wish you and your family peace as you celebrate Chanukah.
What a wonderful Christmas experience. I can just imagine the magic of it (I’m a little jealous having never seen them) thanks for sharing.
They are spectacular both visually and auditorally. On real col.d nights, they crackle loudly. It is like an iceberg calving.
OK that’s going on my bucket list!
A very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Thank you. Have a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace.
Merry Christmas and a lovely story. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see something that beautiful in the sky.
It is wonderful. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful 2018.
So special Ivon. Wishing you a Merry and Peace filled Christmas and New Year 💕🎄🌟
Thank you Val. Have a Merry Christmas and a 2018 filled with abundance.
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Hello, this poem remembers me a little bit on my own childhood. Thank you, and have blessed Christmas days. Michael 😉
Thank you Michael. Have a Merry Christmas and a 2018 filled with abundance.
Thank you very much Ivon! Also the best for you. Michael 🙂
Merry Christmas, Ivon! 🙂 ❤
Thank you Natalie. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Thanks❣️😘
Thank you for sharing your sweet memories. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Ivon.
You are welcome Amy. May you and your loved ones have a Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you.
One of my greatest wishes is to see a Northern Light with my own eyes one day…
I wish you and your family an wonderful Christmas!
They are beautiful. Thank you. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018.
Beautiful poem. Merry Christmas – JOYEUX NOËL et meilleurs voeux pour le temps des fêtes et la nouvelle année 2018.
Merci Tina. Joyeux Nöel.
Thank you for this beautiful gift – Merry Christmas!
You are welcome Mary. Merry Christmas and may 2018 bring peace and abundance.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and may 2018 bring peace and abundance.
You as well Happy New Year
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you. Merry Christmas and may 2018 bring peace and abundance.
Thank you!
Beautiful poem and picture. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your, Ivon!
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Thank you. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
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Have a wonderful holiday with all of your loved ones 💫 sending joy hedy 😀
Thank you. Take care and enjoy a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
MERRY CHRISTMASTIDE!
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Beautiful. I didn’t know the nothern lights made a sound. That’s so interesting. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
The further north you go and the colder the weather sharpens that part. Where we live in Alberta we don’t hear them too often, but, when it is cold, you can hear them hum in the distance.
Wow! That must be something.
It is.
Nicely done, Ivon. Loved seeing the aurorae when living in Maine. Many awestruck moments in time.
Thank you Bela. They hold one’s attention.
Christmas to me has always been just another day to make money. It’s always been easy to do since so many people don’t work on Christmas. I did so many home inspections on Christmas day for Jewish people because they obviously don’t do Christmas.
Good to meet up with old friends when returning to blogging after rather a long gap.
It is.
This is a very beautiful Christmas poem! I wish you & yours happy 2018. May it bring good health, joy and contentment.
Thank you. May you and yours have a wonderful and bountiful 2018.
Beautiful, Ivon. Thank you for sharing that. You captured the experiences of a child during Advent very well. I’m sorry we don’t get to see the northern lights down here in S. Ontario.
Thank you Cynthia. We don’t see them in Edmonton, but, if we travel a few kilometres, we can see them. Jasper and Elk Island National Parks have dark sky events.
I hope you had a nice Christmas, as you deserve, Ivon. May 2018 be amazing for you 🙂 Your words inspire xo
Thank you for each of those. I trust things are well with you. I continue to find your posts thought-provoking and look forward to them. Take care and have a great 2018 Christy.
I would love to see the Northern Lights. If I live long enough. I have a friend in Alaska. Amazing photo my friend.
I think they would be spectacular there. They would crackle and snap, as well as light up the sky.
Maybe one we can.