WhimsyGizmo at dverse poet’s pub has asked for a 44 word Quadrille on the topic of cheer. I have indicated that the given title above is not the title of the Quadrille for purposes of word count.
shivering in doorway
mother, toddler, teen, dog
smooth stone, alcove
bars wind, sucks heat
*
curtained snowflakes
set the stage
for the final act —
numb turns to warm
*
then
stars twinkle
blessings descend
tires crunch
van ride
*
real shelter
kind smiles
filling food
good cheer
Tao Talk 
I love the staccato feel of this – all those sights and sounds. I am there.
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thank you very much!
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Our poems started on the same lines, but yours ends on such an optimistic note!
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ok now i gotta go read your poem!
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Two caveats: after the frozen solid one I did last time, I had to show a glimmer of light; and you see it was only divine intervention that drew the rescue van to the family on the brink of death. Too many never hear the crunch of tires :(
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I’m always tempted to play devil’s advocate when I hear expressions like ‘divine intervention’ and ask why is divine intervention so sporadic? If you can do something once…
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i wish i knew… i just know that miracles can happen…
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As my dad said about my mother, you’re lucky to believe.
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If I hadn’t experienced miracles I wouldn’t believe in them <3
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Then you are a very fortunate person :)
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Actually it’s the chicken and the egg for miracles and belief, not sure which came first ;) But I’ve seen and experienced them. They aren’t so dramatic as a person throwing away their crutches and walking but they are miracles nonetheless.
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I suppose my take on it is that if you expect there to be an explanation for everything, when something happens that doesn’t have a logical explanation you could say, that’s a miracle. On the other hand you could be like me and say, I don’t expect to have the explanation for everything. Either way, it’s a cause for celebration :)
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Oh I do love myself a nice cheer in the warmth of a fire.
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as long as the warmth of human kindness lives there is hope
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This poem reads to me like the Little Match Girl..dying from the cold, a vision of warmth in her eyes. Years ago I rescued Ying woman and her small daughter wrapped in newspapers over their pajamas. She had grabbed her daughter and fled from her abusive husband. The one truly good thing I have done.
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Those twinkling stars can reach many. One reached you that day <3
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Wow, another strong, but tender message; no frilly–jelly-filled sing-song Hallmark poems for us. Sadly, the state of the world, and America imprints itself over the top of Norman Rockwell sentiments.
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oh that it was not so…
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Love the sounds in this!
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thank you jilly!
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I love how your quadrille ends on an optimistic note! ❤❤❤
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thank you, sanaa <3
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Nice “m” sound in this line: “numb turns to warm”
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didn’t notice it but thank you. a good flip :)
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I hope everyone finds shelter and safety in their life. I couldn’t imagine… ;-(
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Glad it ended on a positive note.
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Here is the true spirit of giving – thanks for the reminder.
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the sweet image of warmth and family made me smile. beautiful!
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:)
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Great imagery! And the fire is perfect. It sets the mood and brings us good cheer! 💕
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Thank you, Dorinda!
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You’re welcome!
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I like the way the layout – short lines and lots of space between them – conveys the shivering and the feeling of despair and the scene is set so well without too much detail, Jade. As Toni said, it reminds me of The Little Match Girl, but with a happier ending. The real spirit of Christmas is at homeless shelters.
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Thank you, Kim for reading it and glad you like it.
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I see a bunch of sentences describing a scene with only a few words chosen from each sentence.
Fun scene.
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glad you found it fun. thanks for the comment!
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To find real shelter always brings a feeling of warmth.
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Perfect for this cold time of year!
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Thank you Teresa!
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Your words paint a picture of a journey that is all too common, a family seeking shelter from the cold. Very well written, thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for your kind words. Yes too much of families seeking shelter going on in the world these days.
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Too many families in need when we actually have more than enough to go around
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YES. I remember going to Cedar Point with my kids years ago. We stayed at a hotel on the main strip of hotels just outside of the place. We ended up having to drive around the block for some reason. Just behind that fancy strip of hotels were some very sad looking homes. There’s a movie, “The Florida Project” that came out a year or two that speaks to the phenomenon. Too much hoarded wealth in the hands of too few.
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