Imaginary realities

Issue #70 of your inbox poetry magazine

Are they real?
Do they exist? Tell me
dad, tell me now. - My child, I'll tell you
they're as real as you can
imagine.

December is a great time for magical beings. With them, of course, comes that one big question: are they real? My first response is a question in return: have you read or heard about them? If so, they are real. They do exist. Even as figments of imagination, they have their right of being. It reminds me of lovely stories as the book Life of Pi and the movie Big Fish, where the factual story is told with some simile and metaphors and other embellishments, both basically ending in the question: do you prefer naked facts or a beautiful story?

Well, what do you prefer? Before answering that, maybe this thought. What is beautiful? A story of a magical man bringing gifts to all children in the world? Or the story of the people who love each other so much, they come together and share presents? I like balancing the two.

As Christmas is upon us this weekend, I wish you all, also those that don’t celebrate, some magical days.

PS: the photo above is taken in the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. The Parisian department stores always make enormous Christmas displays.

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Something to listen to

A poet and a parent. I can relate to that. I am a poet, and a dad. Just like Brian Kurian. I interviewed him for chapter 7 of my poetry podcast, also titled #trpplffct. Check out the episode with Brian here:

Even on the 24th of December, you may want to take a break from decking the halls.

And of course, this week’s poem is available in the #trpplffct readings:

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Poetry elsewhere

Sometimes imagination can take you to wonderful places, only to find yourself back in reality, in a different place that is wonderful by itself. This poem, There’s a Skunk in the House, took me to both places.

Imagining how our pets see the world: it’s fun. Especially when it’s about an exciting Death Chase. Please also check out more of the poems this poet, Justine, wrote. You’ll thank me for that.

Your imagination can also lead you on a road you might not want to travel. The trick is to make that journey count. I think that John Paul Davis did that very well in Antarctica as an Idea. (Please note: I think the bear referenced in the name Arctic is the constellation that contains the Pole Star.)

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