Thoughts on Christmas – A Poem and Photos

Merry Christmas, everyone.

This blog post consists of some really cool creative work–a poem and photographs–by two friends of mine.

The poem
The poem comes from John Arndt, a playwright and writer who I met years ago when I lived at the Unarmed Underground Art Centre (UUAC) aka the hut. The UUAC also known as Flamingo Art Studios was an artist’s community that was housed in three connected quonset huts, in the Flamingo Park area of West Palm Beach, Florida.

About John Arndt
When I first met John Arndt, as he rolled his wheelchair into the east bay where I had a studio in the back corner, he mentioned converting the space into a theatre, setting up lights, building a stage. I listened with a smile, dismissing his words as fanciful rhetoric. Two months later, the east bay was a theatre, with overhead lights, a control panel complete with dimmer switches, curtains, and a stage. Then, John began staging his own original plays, using studio regulars as actors. John’s ability to take action impressed and inspired me to take action with my own creative projects.

The photographs
The photographs are the work of friend, artist and photographer Bryan Debay. Although I’ve known Bryan Debay, mainly as an acquaintance, for years, I had an opportunity to work for him at a fish packing house in Lake Park, Florida.

Working there, I witnessed his skillfulness in acting as a buffer between the management, the fisherman, and the employees. Even though his management skills are apparent, I think Bryan has some latent skills in painting and photography, and clever humor as well. If you, peradventure, make his acquaintance, keep a pen and paper handy. He has some terrific one liners.

Special thanks to John Arndt (poem) and Bryan Debay (photographs). Merry Christmas, everyone.

photo: Bryan Debay

Thoughts on Christmas

A rare blue planet whirls through a wilderness of stars
Atoms knit a needlework of endless magnificence
Light hurtles across the dark excruciating night

Can you feel the pull of strange and beautiful forces
The tie of bonds beyond all efforts to understand
Music lifts, laughter fills, loved ones defy gravity

This life unfurls full of rich and unexpected treasure
Thoughtfulness arching across the chasm like a hand
Precious wishes echo the canyons in glorious fervor

And yet, we slumber, sleep walking across the sky
But dreams will flood the plain and firmaments explode
In each morning a new world awakes, humming with the possible

What are we waiting for, next Christmas, another sun setting
The son is rising now, stronger than any human failure
With knowledge larger than any distance

Arise and dance, sing with your body, celebrate with friends
Kiss the light and fill the night with bliss
Turn this season into a cycle that never ends

About John Ardnt
John Arndt is a poet and playwright working everyday to shine just a glimmer of light on a world that desperately needs all the radiance it can get. For more of my smalll attempts at illumination feel free to contact me at john.arndt@juno.com

photo: Bryan Debay

Share this poem and the photos
If you enjoyed this poem and the photos, click the button below to share them on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking websites. Thank you.