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Tradition

In his poem “Tradition,” Wallace Stevens writes, “A poem about tradition could easily be / A windy thing ….” What is tradition to you? Try your hand at writing a poem about this. [​Photo by David Marcu on Unsplash]

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Responses to this Challenge

Jan 03
poem challenge: Tradition
Sam Kraemer 313's picture

Traditions

I have always had traditions
It could be such simple things
like a drink before bed or a once a week family game night or a holiday or trip or eating a favorite food
But always something I can both look foward and come back to
And always something fulfilling

I think one reason we hang on to traditions is that
our lives can be so crazy.
And just having that one point of order and familiarity in our lives comforts us.
So we we hang on to those traditions.

One big example of a tradition for me is the annual trip that my family takes around Christmas
We are jewish so we don't celebrate Christmas 
Instead we go to some city, eat delicious Chinese food, and lounge around in a hotel, go for a walk around the chilly city with no one else around because it is Christmas. 
This is something we look foward to every year.  
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Posted: 01.03.23
Nov 10
poem challenge: Tradition

That's Just Tradition

I hang up my stockings, I string up the lights.
I bedazzle the tree, so merry and bright.
I sprinkle nutmeg on my eggnog and sing of holly and snow.
I compose a careful list and hang mistletoe.
Oh how jolly this Christmas will be, same as the last, for that’s how it should be.
I sit by a warm fire, laughter in my ears.
I tell stories of past Christmases for my family to hear.
I play gift-giving games: Secret Santa and Yankee Swap.
Oh how merry we are on this Christmas Eve, same as last year, just as it should be.
I curl up in bed, my eyes open wide,
awaiting the jingle of sleigh bells outside.
I think of my cookies, my milk, and my letter.
I think of the new Barbie and how much I hope that I get her.
My eyes slowly drift shut, sugar plums in my mind.
I know next Christmas will be just as fine.
But now I’m not sure how this Christmas will be.
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Posted: 11.10.22
Oct 25
poem challenge: Tradition

Tradition

In my family,
Every thanksgiving.
Even when we had to be on zoom,
Miles away, 
But still so close.
We write down,
All the things we are grateful for.
Every grateful has its own paper,
Lined by a beautiful scrap,
We found somewhere.
So when we are feeling sad,
We look at our gratefuls,
Lining the dining room walls.
To remind ourslelves,
That not all is lost,
And we are not alone.
 
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Posted: 10.25.22