The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Here we are…the most wonderful time of year. Or so said Edward Pola and George Wyle, who, in 1963, wrote the song with the same title for the Andy Williams Christmas Special.

But we, poets that we are, have found ourselves interrogating that declaration. We’d like it to be true, of course; but the ongoing war in Ukraine and the ongoing war in Gaza and constant breaking news—none of it is wonderful.

And we, the humans that we are, have asked ourselves how we can think of celebrating when so many people, here at home and abroad, are going through such horrible things.

And yet. Tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah, the annual Jewish celebration that coincides with the winter solstice, in which a new candle is lit on the menorah each night to bring in the light. A literal making of light in this world that, so often, is so very dark.

And still. We look back on the past year and see so much light in our tiny corner of the world. The poetry we’ve read. The conversations we’ve hosted. The poets we’ve come to know. And we are grateful for each one. We are grateful for you.

We’ll be taking the rest of December to find our light—with our families, with poems, with traditions, with quiet time and relaxation. And we’ll be back in January with a class from Jessica Johnson (!!!) and new announcements about In Conversation events and upcoming classes.

Don’t forget to read all the way to the bottom, where we ask you if you want to teach—or if you know someone who does. Along the same lines, if there is a poet (or poets) that you’d love to suggest for an In Conversation event, we’d love to hear that too! Feel free to reach out anytime at info@thenotebookscollective.com.

Wishing you all light, love, and joy!