Janet Hamill: Pick of the Week [ed. Terence Winch]

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When It Snowed

 

It was almost holy when it snowed

waiting to see Santa at Sears

for a photo in a plaid coat & mittens

the real one was at Macy’s in Herald Square

 

Waiting to see Santa at Sears

Daddy took us to pick out the tree

the real one was at Macy’s in Herald Square

topped with an angel’s folded feather wings

 

Daddy took us to pick out the tree

I need a two-gun holster & a saxophone

topped with an angel’s folded feather wings

our house   Silent Night & blue lights

 

I need a two-gun holster & a saxophone

when we finish caroling on Ryeside

our house   Silent Night & blue lights

it was almost holy when it snowed

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In May of 2022, Janet Hamill was inducted into the Inaugural 100^th Anniversary Hall of Fame of her hometown of New Milford, NJ, in the category of Arts & Letters.  She is the author of ten books, most recently A Map of the Heavens: Selected Poems 1975-2017 (Spuyten Duyvil, NY, 2020) and Baby Parade (Vehicle Editions, NY, 2022), and the recipient of Publishers Weekly Book of the Year and the Pushcart Prize. Hamill has collaborated with poets and musicians Bob Holman, Maureen Owen, Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, and Moving Star, artists/photographers Robert Mapplethorpe, Ken Tisa, and Michael Sypulski. Surrealist-influenced, Hamill has been an active member of the Seligmann Committee, which seeks to make the Swiss-American surrealist’s home in Sugar Loaf, NY, a protected site.

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                              Robert Henri, Snow in New York, 1902. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art (Wash. DC)

        

 

Comments

[Jody Payne]

My two gun holster gave me the girl power I needed. I think I still wear them. Thank you for taking me there.

[Grace Cavalieri]

DIVINITY ON CHRISTMAS

[Eileen]

Love this poem

[Terence Winch]

Thanks for the comment, Jody, and Merry Christmas to you.

[Stacey]

Yes, perfect. Merry Christmas!

[Don Berger]

I love how "almost holy" this experience is, and the "angel's folded feather wings," the holster and horn, the beautiful sound of "caroling at Ryeside," the lulling repetitions. This is Janey Hamill's own distinctive poem in the vein of cummings's song to his tree during this season. Nice pick!

[Terence Winch]

Prof. Berger: Thanks for the comment.

[Bill Nevins]

Where are the snows of yester year? In this lovely poem. Thanks so much, and happy Christmas!

[Maureen Owen]

The perfect poem and painting for the season! And love the photo of Susan and Santa :)

[David Lehman]

Almosty holy: yes, a perfect choice. Great is the painting (and the photo of young Susan with old Santa).

[Peter Kearney]

As you read this lovely poem, hark! the Herald Square angel's wings. Yes, wings, not sing nor sings. The poem itself does the singing.