We’re all caught in the silences of living, with birds caroling outside and music (or TV if that’s your thing) of one sort or another inside …
MUSIC IN THE HOUSE
sounds drop
until the house is littered 
with broken notes
symphonic or jazz
choral or solo
strewn on shelves
hanging out of drawers
muddled on the floor
I pick them up
dust them off
and they blow about my head
filling this isolation
with hope and joy
To Bethlehem: ‘This little book is delightful, full of … poems on this timeless subject. … the most fun is the little prose vignettes of the common people in the Christ-child story. The slave who looks after the wise men’s camels, or the overworked maid at the inn who has to fetch water for the birth, and many more. A lovely gift for the reader on your Christmas list!’ Rosalind Adams. Available from Amazon and Kindle.
1960willowtree 
Right on Joanna, music is warming my heart daily, hoping we all stay well.
Many thanks, Francine. I’m just with the birds right now:-)
Joanna, As we approach the commemoration of VE Day I recall your father writing poetry in North Africa, and then sadly giving his life in Normandy. I have vivid memories of VE Day. Our family went to London and I was on my father’S shoulders as the Royal family passed in the Mall. That evening I was taken to my first Opera, Die Fledermaus. Tessa’s uncle was in N Africa and Italy, having fought throughout the First World War, much decorated. Her father joined in 1918 from school and was also decorated, but in 1939 was on the home front. Antony Sent from my iPhone
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Antony, yours was definitely a memorable VE Day. I was at boarding school a the time,
couldn’t understand what all the hoopla was about, explanations not forthcoming from
staff! Weird altogether. I’ve a vague memory of a bonfire and confusing it with Guy Fawkes
night! Joanna