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Open Poetry #17
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Poet deVine
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Hurricane Alley

0 posted 2001-12-24 11:29 AM



THE CHRISTMAS POEM

I turned out the lights and lit the tree,
Then settled back, just Rover and me.
The family is scattered here and there,
Christmas is lonely…but I don’t really care.

No noisy unwrapping of gifts will I hear,
No stacks of dishes after dinner this year.
The lights flicker, the tinsel gleams,
The perfect Christmas eve, or so it seems.

Then at my door came a timid tapping,
Startled, I jumped, as though I was napping.
I opened the door and to my amazement,
A small crowd stood on my front pavement.

An old man, wrinkled and gray,
Stepped forward as though he had something to say.
“We thank you kindly for having us
To share the joy your Christmas.”

I stepped back and they filed past,
There were eighteen people, from first to last.
The laughter welled up as they settled down,
They looked at my face, and saw my grim frown.

“You want us here, don’t you sir?”
Asked a child quietly, as they began to stir.
“Well, I don’t know,” I started to say,
Then wondered, why not? It’s almost Christmas day.

I had no turkey with them to share
So I fixed what I had - - they didn’t care.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, tuna casserole too.
I even served a can of Spam or two.

After we ate, they began to sing,
And suddenly, youknow, it was the strangest thing -
The tree seemed brighter, the air more clear..
I began to fill up with holiday cheer.

I dug in the closet for discarded clothes,
For books and toys …I’d always kept those.
I handed them out, a smile on my face,
I really never had such joy in this place.

I settled them down - wherever - to bed…
A child’s prayer was softly being said.
The lights on the tree reflected the glow
Of the happiest Christmas I’ll ever know.

I awoke from the dream to find myself alone…
I immediately jumped up and reached for the phone.
I dialed quickly, my heart beating fast.
The true joy of Christmas, I’d found at last.

You see, no matter how little you give,
It brings joy to those with no place to live.
So open your home and open your heart
Christmas is … the place to start.

© Copyright 2001 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Mistletoe Angel
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1 posted 2001-12-24 11:38 AM






CLAPPING WILDLY!!! BRAVO!!! Oh my gosh, this is a true classic, sweet friend, what a wonderful story that brings about the love we share to one another on Christmas! (sigh) No one should ever be alone on Christmas, and we are all here for you always, sweet friend, we all love you so much! (big hugggsssss) God Bless You! (kiss on cheek) Absolutely breathtaking! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet friend, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
2 posted 2001-12-24 11:46 AM



Mary gave the greatest Gift,
we can only try to follow suit.

Well done DeVine...well done.

rosepetals25
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since 2000-05-31
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PA
3 posted 2001-12-24 01:27 PM


Poet deVine,

       A lovely poem for Christmas Holidays are hard for me, they always have been, but you made me smile with this. Thank you

Hugs to you,
Tara

"My heart is like an open book, for the whole world to read"
     - Motley Crue, Home Sweet Home

JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2001-12-24 02:26 PM


Enjoyed this...lovely...James
GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
5 posted 2001-12-24 02:35 PM


A truly great Christmas message we should all heed.  I enjoyed this very much.

Dave

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Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
6 posted 2001-12-24 06:49 PM


Truly a wonderful piece, you have written, DeVine...thanks for sharing your Christmas cheer!

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2001-12-25 11:28 AM


Thank you all for you kind comments. This poem was written quite a few years ago for a contest - it didn't win - but it's one of my favorites.
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