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jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2012-12-22 10:10 AM

When Christmas Was Real

I remember the bubble lights,
on a tree that seemed to reach Heaven
(we had fourteen foot ceilings),
with continuously rising bubbles
that I'd watch and watch and watch.
And the ornaments,
so varied and colored,
large and small,
beautifully reflecting
the strings and strings
of colorful lights,
the silver tinsel
and garland wrapping
round and round the tree,
and finally,
on the very top,
the Angel,
whose wings
scrapped the ceiling itself.

I remember
when Christmas
was real,
and the dollar
wasn't it's theme,
when the birth of Jesus
was Holy,
America loved thy neighbor,
hate was almost a foreign word,
windows weren't barred,
doors weren't locked,
cars had keys left in them,
and kids
ran up and down the block
always knowing
they were going home.

I remember
when people wanted to be
Americans,
not by color,
or creed,
or religion,
but Americans first,
and proud of the name,
still proud of their heritage,
but - Americans.

I remember Christmas,
when Christmas was real,
when it's purpose was meaningful,
and you weren't condemned
because you were Christian,
or not.

And then . . .
I see Christmas today,
and I close my eyes,
squinting them tight,
trying to remember
Christmas,
when Christmas
was Real.

© wesley james beard, jr.
december 22,, 2012

Victoria

Member Ascendant

since 2000-08-12

Posts 5869

1 posted 2012-12-22 11:07 AM

They were the good old days Jimmy. The days when the only thing kids wanted was to make a snowman. You said it all.

~V~

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

2 posted 2012-12-22 11:25 AM

OH JW, this is a timely message and beautifully rendered. The bubble lights took me way back.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

3 posted 2012-12-22 09:01 PM

I remember too, Jimmy. I guess when we are gone nobody will know what that Christmas was.
Ida

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

4 posted 2012-12-23 03:29 AM

Christmas, back then, was very real indeed, J.
Enjoyed,
Ms. E

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

5 posted 2012-12-26 02:54 PM

Jim, you did it again.Lovey memories of what a true Christmas is. When gifts were tokens of love and children made gifts for parents and siblings. Time seemed more precious then and we used it to foster good will. We did not have to go into hock to please every little whim when we knew that what was new was enough to bring out smiles and hugs. jo

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

6 posted 2012-12-26 08:23 PM

A joy to read...James

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