Christmas

As the world counts down through Advent,

Youngsters squeal in their delight,

Of a Christmas that is merry

Decorations shining bright.

They hear the postman knocking

And rush to ope’ the door;

Cardboard boxes keep arriving,

Mum says, they’re for her Christmas chores.

But the cards come through the letterbox,

Lovely pictures oh so pretty.

With snow scenes and red Santas,

Some nativities; some just witty.

And the tree sits in the corner,

With lights that twinkle all the day

And there’s a joyful Christmas angel

Saying that Christmas is on the way.

And as Christmas itself gets closer,

To the Eve of Christmas Day

They listen to the carols

From the church across the way.

Then leaving out their stockings,

With some sherry for Santa too,

They climb into their cosy beds,

Hoping Santa can fit down the flue!

And they dream of the sleigh that is flying,

Across the pale moon tonight

And of Rudolph who leads it onward

Through time and space in flight.

Hoping morning will bring all they asked for

But if not, then that’s all right,

For a loving family gathering

Will make up for it ’til Twelfth Night.

Snow scene
Paints times of nostalgia
Quintessential village landscape
Bedecked with a blanket of snow
The coverall.
Happy families skipping
by the river path
To the kismet bridge
Beneath the star that was foretold.
And beneath the snow
Under that cloak of invisibility
What lies there on a cold winter night of glad tidings;
Do you know?
Have you watched the homeless
Beg in the shopping mall
And the destitute turn to crime
Or shoot their own stars
So they too can dream of fluffy white*
Marshmallow clouds in the arms
Of evergreen Christmas trees?
Yet it’s Christmas, a time of winter cheer
Giving and goodwill; give it a thought.

I was attracted by this lovely snow scene in the barber’s window and in most of the small shops in town a different if similar Christmas snow scene. So lovely and happy and it did in fact raise my spirits to see it. However, as I sat down to write the poem twisted itself as I thought and saw that our preparations leave the poor and destitute even further behind. A time of goodwill and giving to others has been turned inward and made a gluttony of excess. In my local town the churches have thankfully set up night shelters for the 3 months of December January and February and Christmas Day itself promises to be special. I wonder what Christmas specials are happening in your towns?

Words and photo by Englepip.