Exchanging Christmas cards is a tradition that I choose to hold on to. There are people in my life I haven’t seen or talked to in years, decades even, yet we still exchange cards every year. It’s a lifeline. A loveline. A way to connect beyond any reason. I don’t fault anyone who opts out. It’s a time consuming commitment.
We don’t send a long letter anymore. The most I can get out is a sticker for the back with the very basic information. But I do enjoy reading the long letters that arrive. I don’t even care if it’s braggy, braggy. I have a friend whose tradition is to open all the holiday cards at once on Christmas morning. I tend to savor each one as it comes.
Art cards express a dedication of time and creativity. This year I received a beautiful collage art card from friend and fellow Inkling, Linda Mitchell. She says she “dabbles” but this card, and other work I’ve seen by her recently, are placing her into a higher artist category. She has talent, and I appreciate and admire her work.
My father, John Gibson, is an artist who created art cards for years. In 2013, I created poems to accompany each card and collected them into a small chapbook, Illuminate. Today, I am featuring one of these cards and its poem.
The Pointillist
She laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
He sits at the drawing table,
taps the paper
as an instrument.Music comes forth
in tones
dark and light.Rhythm
from his heart
to his hand beats–syncopated in time–
drumming out each dot
point by pointImage
emerges in focus
inviting the eyeI go with him
to the stable,
kneel next to the cow,smell the light scent of hay,
listen to the breath
of a child,adore with Mary.
Margaret Simon, all rights reserved
from Illuminate
Reflections on the Teche 
Beautiful descriptive poem Margaret, I love and all the drawing elements you wove so much textural quality and paralleling it with your father’s drawing. Together they 🎶 sing, thanks, and Merriest of Christmas 🎄 wishes to you and your family!
Gorgeous cards, brilliant poem. His art pulled you in; your art did the same for me.
Hey! I recognize that card. LOL. I should show you all the failed attempts I have in the scrap pile. I attempted much more complex designs before it got late to order and thought, just go simple. Thanks for the love. I’m excited to send out New Year greetings too!
I have the nicest memory of reading your chapbook and then visiting a painter this summer. As I looked at her paintings I wanted to give her something meaningful for the tour of her collection (it used to be in her gallery/shop). I gave her my copy of your book. It was so fun to connect artist to artist to artist to artist. That’s what Poetry Friday does for me…connects.
love the idea of syncopated time for a pointillist!
Yes the gift of artist to artist to artist is wonderful.
I had to come back, in my morning slumber I missed complementing on Linda’s gorgeous art-card, thanks for sharing it with us and for sending cards too!
Thanks for taking me to the stable with you, Margaret. Peace and love, health and happiness in 2022.
Wow–that card from Linda is amazing. And love the collaboration between you and your father. Wishing you a joyful Christmas.
I love this whole post so much! Merry Christmas! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Your father is such a talented artist! You capture so much in your poem, I love the scent of hay and the child’s breath. Merry Christmas!
Margaret, I especially like your theme today. It is the Feast of the Holy Family and your poem reminds me of its significance. The gift of art is a lasting one as is the gift of sharing cards. Linda’s collage art is absolutely lovely and I agree that her work is more than just dabbling. I love everything you shared about your father’s art throughout the years. May the Lord continue to bless your family.