From Me to You

Magic Moments
There's a feeling that flows
from the magic of things
that happen this time of year--
it's the love that this season brings.

It could be the lilt of a special song,
or the smell of those baking pies,
a glowing menorah, a fragrant tree,
the twinkle in children's eyes.

Family or friends just stopping in
to share some holiday cheer;
a peaceful feeling begins to grow
as that special time draws near.

May your cup overflow,
boundless blessings receive;
make a wish, say a prayer
and truly believe!

2023 Cheri Neuman Herald
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Merry Christmas, Xanga friends!!

Be Still and Know

The lights, the gifts, the special plans--
so much, so much to do!
Don't lose your peace or spoil your joy;
take time today for you.

Don't wait 'till clutter's put away
and all your errands run;
take time to pray and then reflect
on good things God has done.

A grateful heart, like medicine,
will cheer a troubled mind.
Think back to blessings poured on you;
just seek and you will find.

So, trust the Psalmist's words anew--
the verse that points the way:
Be still and know that I am God,
and rest in Him today.

2022 Cheri Neuman Herald

Merry Christmas, with Love!
--Cheri

Celebrate Christmas

So when you do good, you stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you. This is what God wants. Live as free men. But do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God. --1 Peter 2:15-16

Freedom to worship,
freedom of choice,
freedom to gather,
freedom of voice,

no one can dictate--
not in this land;
people all over
taking a stand.

Freedom's not license
to do others ill;
love for our brother
governs us still.

Celebrate Christmas
your own special way;
freedom eternal--
thank Him today!

2021 Cheri Neuman Herald

Lessons From Lockdown

I'd use the time well
get lots of things done
the country locked down
was no time for fun.

I sorted the Tupperware
homecooked my meals
burned some old paperwork
searched ebay for deals.

Polished the silver
trimmed my own hair
purged all the closets
of clothes I don't wear.

Then I slowed down
stopped watching the time
slept a bit later
began a new rhyme.

Sat on the porch
and noticed the birds
listened to music
and heard all the words.

The quiet is lovely
without all the cars
I laze with the cats
and gaze at the stars.

Learned that my days
are sweeter spent slow
It took a pandemic
to learn what I know.

2020 Cheri Neuman Herald

Merry Christmas Xanga friends!!

Who knew? From Wikipedia:

"Christopher Isaac "Biz" Stone[1][2] (born March 10, 1974)[3] is an American entrepreneur who is the co-founder of Twitter, among other Internet-based services. Biz was the creative director at Xanga from 1999–2001.[4] Stone co-founded Jelly, with Ben Finkel. Jelly was launched in 2014 and is described as a new kind of search engine with the core assumption that for every question there is a person with the answer. Stone was Jelly’s CEO until its acquisition by Pinterest in 2017.[5] On May 16, 2017, Biz Stone announced he was returning to Twitter Inc. in an unannounced role."

Peace, Christmas Peace

Nothing in life
is ever one-sided,
but this current strife
has our country divided.

Not since the years
of the Vietnam War
have political fears
hurt relationships more.

But it's Christmas!
Relax, get some sleep.
Our families need us--
the battle will keep.

In World War I,
in the midst of the fray,
a truce was begun
on a chill Christmas day.

One soldier voiced
"Silent Night" in the cold,
then both sides rejoiced
in that carol of old.

Divided, we fall;
let the arguing cease.
Descend on us all
sweet Spirit of Peace.

2019 Cheri Neuman Herald
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Merry Christmas old friends!!

With a Grateful Heart

For diamonds of dew
on a spider's web
that strikingly catch the eye,

for that double bow
a special treat
that colors a dreary sky,

for a special friend
with stalwart heart
that's always standing by,

for Cardinal birds
and butterflies
they say are sent from Heaven,

for our Savior's grace
and sacrifice
that mended what was riven,

with a grateful heart
give thanks, rejoice!
for gifts that God has given.

2018 Cheri Neuman Herald
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Merry Christmas Xanga friends! I'm grateful for you.

And Grace Will Lead

Some days the world seems bleak,
a colorless landscape, all uphill,
whose horizon stretches so far
we cannot speak, and home
seems impossibly out of reach.

Yet, hope ensures--
that small bird
that finds the will to try again,
endures, when strength is gone
and sleep almost seems the fairer answer.

Drawn steadily toward infinity,
the harvest ripe, the reaper ready,
face upturned to the beckoning dawn,
and grace will lead us home.

© 2017 Cheri Neuman Herald

Merry Christmas! Wishing you the hope ensured by grace.

The 24th is my 16th Xangaversary. We fledgling Xangans came here from Geocities or Angelfire by invitation of a fictional PR person, "Bianca Broussard", who said she liked our writing. Instead of a thumbs-up, we awarded e-props to each other for liking a post. We read each others poetry, short stories, and rants. There were artists and photographers here, too-- good ones. Much of the writing was excellent, as was the camaraderie. We old-timers refer to ourselves as "relics", and I guess we are. Some of us keep in touch. Our Xanga is dying, but until it is extinguished, I'll keep the light on. Merry Christmas, old friends.