Small Wonder – Reggie Morrisey

This I know to be true: Every day holds some wonder, however small. That fact strikes me so keenly I tend to be on the lookout for the day’s offering.

On the internet, I saw a photo of a domed observatory in the Swiss Alps called Sphinx.* Atop an 11,716-foot pinnacle, it faces the 13,123-foot Jungfrau, an Alpine wonder I saw in person in 1971.

The observatory holds equal fascination. Built in 1937, Sphinx is reached by an elevator constructed on the side of the pinnacle. That elevator is reached after a train ride to Europe’s highest train station. Talk about achieving heights.

It makes my heart soar to see this image in December 2018, as it soared 47 years ago, looking at this snow-covered Swiss alp. Visiting Interlaken, Switzerland as a young woman who that year would give birth to her first child, I felt overwhelmed with wonder.

I know everything wondrous doesn’t inspire such feelings. Fear is a learned response to the new, and it can be warranted, if only in the moments it takes to get a grip and remember there is tomorrow.

In honor of this season and the tomorrows of a new year, I wish you many wonders as I share some of my poems and Vincent Mancuso paintings observing mundane and wondrous moments.

Mixed Gift Bag
(Circa 1975)

On each imperfect Christmas past,
I lonely reminisced for those
who moved the tree “Over there?”
and wrapped late gifts with a kiss.

On each imperfect holy night,
I set table for a Benedict brunch
and hung two dozen candy canes
more likely to be munched.

Everything to do was done
by strict Home Journal means.
Every detail met for sleepy heads
with commercialized dreams.

Overspending, ever spent
in Christmas carol grooves.
Buying secular opinions
of how true love is proved.

The Pageant
Asbury U.M. Church, New York
December 1978

The pony hired to play
pageant donkey
took his job
very seriously.

Obviously, a method actor,
he balked as a donkey would.
Stood still
when Joseph prodded.
Very still
though Mary
crooned and nodded.

He at last caved in
so the pageant
could begin for
angels,
shepherds,
kings.

Seems he could not settle
for a walk on part
Saw his role as central,
the very heart
of the story.

Once tied to a tree,
even he could see,
his moment of glory
had passed.

Just another member
of the cast.
In the shadow.
In the wings.

But in the
very beginning,
he had a stubborn
hold on things.

When Vincenzo Caroled
Connecticut, 1994

The cold hands of the caroler are
cupped in her convalescent warmth.
Abiding on a melody,
some 90 Yuletides passed.
Jolting as the rush of years
daring to be her last.

Her eyes are wide
as childhood ponds.
Her laugh
could blithely
skate along.

She cups his hands.
She warms his heart.
Then, in a flash,
the caroler's gone.

A melody and
memory play on.

Gulf Coast Evensong
Florida, 2000

Stern lights stream,
candles on the altar
of a setting sun.

Clouds, billowy linen,
enfolding the golden rays.
Palm tops,
graceful arches in a chapel
of our Gulf Coast days.

In power and windblown pews,
we sip a chalice of glowing hues.
Breathe in orange, rose and blue,
Still hurtling through space
in our place with a view.
Not coming round again.

Earth journeys into evening
sing a bountiful Amen.
Chant of angels on the bow
pray starlit paths to Heaven.

The Wreath on Our Door
2006

The wreath on our door
is decked for the season.
Gone the fall berries.
Gone the fall leaves.

The promise of New Year,
of seasons to come,
Is decked with our hope
for health, bounty and peace.

Dateline: Gulf of Mexico
Interview with Two Locals
2007

“We'll, we’re waiting for
the end of day,
the boat parade,
armada of a
season’s joy.

We’re watching for
the dolphin lights,
the snowman’s orb,
the sails edged bright.

We’re all set for
the carolers.
the Santa guy,
the Silent Night.
And you?"

Mixed Gift Bag (Circa 1975)

The Pageant Asbury U.M. Church, New York December 1978

When Vincenzo Caroled Connecticut, 1994

Gulf Coast Evensong Florida, 2000

The Wreath on Our Door 2006

Dateline: Gulf of Mexico Interview with Two Locals 2007