Selected Short Subjects

By Alfred Colo

Octogenarian, author-Alfred Colo, celebrated his eighty sixth birthday in December of 2012, with the completion of this, his eleventh self-published work with Xlibris Publishing Co., expected to become available in early 2013.

His early origins as a singer-song writer, have come full circle from modest, creative love lyrics, to full-blown, mature poetry-writings, with a passion for words extending well beyond the mere expressions of love. With an ever growing appetite, Colo knew that the time to go public was now or never, and worthy enough to share before the flame of his torch was extinguished.

Alfred took up permanent residence in the growing, smallish town of New Fairfield, CT., after a set of compelling circumstances led him to exit the Big Apple, where he spent the greater part of his formative years, to taking on a new role as companion-caregiver to a long-standing friend, victim of a stroke.

The author currently pursues active completion of his prolific outpourings on a wide range of subjects, outlined in (Other books by the author) - found on the rear cover of this book. While still going like sixty at a white-heat-rate, he may put other writers, half his age, to shame.

His yet unpublished collections, grown over years of maturation and perfecting, are only now expected to be laced in book form, wrapped in ribbons, and garnished with final trappings of publications bows. Colos quest to finalize as much of his lifes legacy as possible, has, he states, kept him alive, longer than any expectation he allowed himself even to conjure. Late fame, alas, may arrive postumously, though most assuredly without the fortunes of success in this world! You cant take with you what cant be spent beyond the grave. Far greater, however, are the riches, other than noteriety and fame, he expects will endure through generations of time to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483673363

Alfred Colo

Alfred Colo, a former singer-songwriter, has immersed himself in full-blown poetry from creative love lyrics he honed his craft on when he realized that his passion for words lay beyond mere expressions of amour. His initial attempt at self-publishing with Xlibris Corporation in 2008 is a nature lover’s view in poetry through the four seasons, entitled Inside Looking Out. Reluctant at first, not offering too much material at once for reasons both pragmatic and artistic, he later ventured to expand his theme with residual material not included in his first book on four seasons alone. As his appetite grew, he knew that there was more he had to say in his accumulated poetry since 1984, which begged inclusion of more poems on the related twelve months of a year beyond the four seasons. After years of creative writing, learning and perfecting his art, he felt it was worthy enough and the right time to make public what eventually has become this collection. He trusts that his reading followers will concur that it was indeed worth the effort to have written a “companion book” to its predecessor, Inside Looking Out. Alfred lives in New Fairfield, Connecticut, after compelling circumstances led him here to exit the Big Apple. Including this one, he has authored twelve books pictured with others to follow. An active octogenarian, Alfred pursues his prolific outpourings on a variety of subjects at a still-going-like sixty white-heat rate. See if you can keep pace with a poet determined to make a mark and to leave a legacy to be proud of. He captures the spirit of his works by suggesting wholly or in part what the cover design will look like on both front and back. From his New Fairfield, Connecticut, home, author Alfred Colo finds inspiration in the abundant wild life he observes and includes in his writing. Other favorite creatures he depicts are angels, nativity scenes and yes, even Santa. Colo’s writings, are rich in detail and luminous in depth and like much of his work, it transcends its confines to achieve a dimensional reality infused with spiritual peace, whimsy, originality and creative imagination, singular cheer and good will. “I relish re-creating scenes of simple, uncomplicated faith,” Colo adds. Responding to an inner childhood calling, the author has created a succession of works as a diverse poet of impressive stature, rivaling his predecessors and role models. He is enabled to keep-fresh the approximately two-thousand-year gap from BC Bethlehem to the current beliefs in Christianity in his re-creation of this advent Christmas story of Jesus nativity.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 Angels

Chapter 2 Essays

Chapter 3 General

Chapter 4 Musical Poetry

Chapter 5 On Poetry

Chapter 6 Our Daily Bread

Chapter 7 Reviews

Chapter 8 Tag, Yard, Garage & Estate Sales

Chapter 9 Weather

Chapter 10 Weddings

Other Books

By Alfred Colo

TITLE

1.        Inside Looking Out

2.        Love Lines

3.        Laughing Matters

4.        Coming of Age

5.        Reaper

6.        Chapters in Verse

7.        The Inspired Word

8.        Calendar Cuts

9.        American Holidays

10.      The ‘Bear’ Facts

DEDICATION

To all poetry lovers and aspirants to the creation of the art, amassed in a pool, fought with dangers of devouring by encircling sharks, equipped with the dental prowess to shread dreams into nightmares.

Persevere, preserve and protect your passion for word processing, and to never say ‘die’ to the ‘great white’ in your face, staring you down in the eye.

Dare to succeed and to hope that perhaps you may live to tell the tales of your narrow escape from the abyss of anonymity, to the hallowed halls of fame, your talents direct you to leave a lasting legacy of your endeavours.

Remember all the while the someone who said that you are ‘special’, wasn’t lying, but preparing you to measure up to your calling, in the game of pen and ink and words which describe your innermost self, in ways unique only to you. Perfection comes at the highest price, and is attainable only by the most diligent practice over the extended period of time it takes to mature in the elements of your own God-given style.

With my very best wishes for all the awards that luck and destiny encourage you to further present in the match of strenuous competition, not often recognized.

The author, Alfred Colo

—2013—

INTRODUCTION

The work that enfolds here was conceived and entitled after ten subjects, too brief to stand alone, but in collective alphabetic order, form one imposing, diverse string of living word pictures. Had I run short of ideas to beef up its wanting pages? No, but rather than patiently await the sought-after material to miraculously present itself for shaping to free stand, I trusted the muse of my instincts to assemble them into one tidy bundle.

I suppose that the reader will surf these booklets if their attention span wanes, let alone bores—with an overdose of material. That not being the case, here is sufficient thought provocation, to inform and assure a light-hearted approach to an entertaining read.

My range of clear plastic starter pages, filed A-Z in no particular order, doubtless has been explored and expanded in fuller depth by authors of greater renoun than myself; however, with time not being on my friendly side, the years have too few precious ones left for me to tackle any similar exposition, to fulfill any promise each might present.

Poetry is their common bond, linking my dwindling loose threads into a book, spined to frame an eye-catching title of magnetic proportions, attractive enough to draw attention.

Less is more may be offered in its defense; brevity, moreover, can even be a plus on its behalf. Therefore, readers, immerse yourselves in the paucity of less ponderous pages, and revel on its most resilient legs, supportive to your mood-of-the-moment, to supply some literary nourishment and to satiate your appetite’s cravings, voracious or otherwise.

I’ll be long gone, before my fruits sprout wings to soar any farther than this author’s ultimate journey destines him.

Reach up then, to the approving heavens for a lone star, I might just be blinking to you from, for the time you may spend pouring over this printed parade of words, prepared meticulously in the confinement of these pages by a grateful author at rest, whose wisdom of thoughts and deed live on to inspire, and encourage others to follow their bent in pursuit of their own mistress-muse, to lead them on a similar journey I was privileged to follow.

Alfred Colo,

the author

Chapter 1

Angels

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And The Angels Sang

(1995)

From heaven above,

Rang a wonderful sound

Of oneness and love,

When The Angels sang:

  "Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  In excelsis Deo.

  Gloria! Gloria!"

Christmas crosses barriers

Of race and cultures,

Nations and denominations,

Colors of skins.

  "Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  Gloria in escelsis Deo.

  In excelsis Deo.

  Gloria! Gloria!"

Christians join in different traditions,

Yet, we are one;

Representing all class distinctions,

Yet, we are one.

Let music bring us

Closer together,

One in God’s love,

Praising The Lord:

  "Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  In excelsis Deo.

  Gloria! Gloria!"

Thank God for music

The Angels sang,

Joyfully bringing,

In unity singing:

  "Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  Gloria in excelsis Deo.

  In excelsis Deo.

  Gloria! Gloria!"

Angels & Shepherds

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God continued to reveal His Son, though not to those we might expect:

Jesus’ birth announced to shepherds in the fields. They may have been the very shepherds, who supplied the lambs for Temple sacrifice, performed for the forgiveness of sin. Angels now invited these shepherds to greet the Lamb of God, Who would take away the sins of the whole world forever.

WHAT A BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!

The shepherds’ terror turned from fear, and then to joy, as the angels announced: It’s a boy! At first they walked and then they ran to see the Infant. Afterwards they spread the word. Jesus is your Messiah and your Saviour too. Have you not heard? Do you look forward to meeting Him in prayer and in His Word each day?

Is your relationship so special that you can’t help sharing your joy with friends.

AT THE VOICE OF WELCOME, HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THE SHEPHERDS FELT THAT SPECIAL NIGHT?

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Torn between responsibility to their flocks and the wonderful, excited, expectant surprise in sharing the good news, astonished them with praise and privilege.

Dear God, as we celebrate the anniversary of Your Son’s birth, may we reflect on the lasting meaning of His coming down to earth. What is inside us, not outside of us, determines how we experience Christmas.

If you feel homeless at Christmas, follow the Shepherd to the stable in Bethlehem. Join the flock and soon you’ll feel back home again.

THE GREATEST EVENT IN HISTORY

HAD JUST HAPPENED

The Messiah was born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to lowly poor shepherds that morn. The good news about Jesus is that it comes to all, including the plain and ordinary, to the humble and to the not so extraordinary. He accepts us JUST AS WE ARE.

Then the Shepherds returned to their fields and flocks, praising God for the host of heavenly angels, and for the honor of seeing The Child, just as The Angel had told them. The story of Jesus’ birth still resounds with music from the angels’ Glorias, which has inspired composers for over two thousand years of choral works, ancient liturgical chants and traditional Christmas carols:

  "Hark, the herald angels sing.

  Glory to the newborn King;

  Peace on earth and mercy mild—

  God and sinners reconciled." (Wesley…)

WHENEVER YOU FEEL LOST, REMEMBER THIS:

The Good Shepherd knows where to look for you. Fear not. He’ll find you.

Christ Is Born Today

By: Alfred Colo

(1996)

Have you heard what I heard?

Christ is born today!

Have you seen what I saw,

A surprise in the hay?

A star, a star’s—

Shining, holy, bright,

Shone on Jesus and

Bathed Him in light,

Like a candle

Cursing the night.

Do you know what I know?

Christ was born for you.

Mary knew what I know,

When she bore Him too:

A Babe, a King’s

Parents’ proud delight,

Would someday be

Saviour of all.

Lo, His castle,

A poor cattle stall.

Have you eye and ears?

Tell it so:

Christ is born today!

Hold Him close; on you,

Let Him grow,

Christmas morn, today!

Al-le-lu, Al-le-lu-oo-oo-ia!

Al-le-lu, Al-le-lu-oo-ia.

Al-le-lu, Al-le-lu-oo-oo-ia!

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REGISTERED COPYRIGHT SECURED

By; Alfred Colo—June 1979 ©

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Christmas Angel

By: Alfred Colo

(1996)

That angels are

God’s messengers of hope, is clear,

With a message ev’ry man,

Woman and child needs to hear.

You too can be an angel—if you

Bring a tender touch

Of God’s love to:

Someone near and dear,

To others hungry or thirsting,

To anyone hurting, lonely or lost.

The list is legion that binds the chained.

The ‘forgotten’ you remember,

Return the gift, (if not in kind),

Thus making Christmas

More meaningful—you’ll find.

An Angel first delivered

The Christmas message

To poor shepherds in a field;

Moved to go-and-tell

The same Good News

Is still alive and well;

Once heard, real love received,

Soars to new heights

Of never-ending-giving,

Nor ever-wanting-getting—

For tir’lessly re-telling.

When touched by a Christmas Angel,

You become one too,

Leaving a lovely trail

Of angel dust,

Marking the way for others

Who follow you to Jesus,

Where He lay… . in a manger,

In the hay.

A Christmas Carol

By: Alfred Colo-NF-2001

The Christ-Child, safe in Mary’s arms,

Was born, a virgin’s son,

Into a weary, wretched world,

So anxious to be won.

The Infant close to Mary’s heart,

Appeared to wear a crown,

Before His subjects peering up,

And angels looking down.

Jesus, from a troth of hay,

Embraced with open arms,

Not only those who came to kneel,

But all who came to pray.

The choruses of music heard

From choirs high and far,

Outpoured with heaven’s Glorias

Singing: Hallelujia!

Guardian Angel

(2005)

Guardian Angel from on high,

dwell beside me, hold me nigh.

Re-enforce me with a love,

God-directed from above.

Hear my prayer, I humbly call.

Cushion me before I fall;

with your presence fill the air

with a flight of feather-fare.

Help my heart. O hear me cry.

Give it wing to let it fly;

teach it how to gently soar,

till it need not ask for more.

With the peace I find in prayer,

grant me grace enough to spare,

for another soul to cling,

mercifully inspired to sing,

raptured here beneath