A Christmas Bear Named Rue - Merry Christmas to All

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Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

0 posted 2008-12-25 06:00 PM

Upon the shelves of yuletide cheer
As Christmas shoppers hustle by,
I’ve tried my best to smile this year
Yet all I seem to do is cry.

Another Christmas Day will see
The other teddy bears have gone,
All snuggled under festive trees
To greet the morning’s mirthful throng.

Now “Sunny Bear’s” with little Joy,
“Felicity’s” gone home with Grace,
And “Chipper Bear” is Johnny’s toy
Each child now dons a smiling face

Alone I sit, upon the shelf.
Last minute shoppers wander by,
Yet no one stops – not Santa’s elf.
Must be the sadness in my eye.

I’m different from the other bears
My furry body’s shades of blue
I show no twinkling, smiling fair.
I am a bear whose name is “Rue”

Just then I saw a wistful child
He stopped and tugged his mother’s knee.
I wondered why he hadn’t smiled,
His finger pointed up at me.

“Why do you want this saddened bear?
His tag says that his name is ‘Rue.’
That’s likely why he’s still up there.
He looks so tearful and he’s blue!”

The child looked up at Mom and said
“He isn’t sad, and he’s not blue.
He only seems to be.Instead
That kindly teddy bear is true”

“He cries his “Rue-ful” tears for me.
He takes my sadness as his own.
He sets my heavy burdens free.
So I can smile as yet unknown.”

“We want that little bear called “Rue”
Please take him from his lonely stand.
He’ll bear our rues and burdens too.
A Merry Christmas is at hand!”

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

1 posted 2008-12-25 07:10 PM

"I’m different from the other bears
My furry body’s shades of blue"

When I was a little kid? Like most children, my dolls and animals were quite "real" to me, and I was allowed to pick "three", just three, to sleep with me.

I just couldn't do it.

Even the one armed doll I thought I'd hated? The one that I wrote on her face with ink? She had to have the spot of honor right next to me. I pictured all of them crying and feeling neglected, so my parents eventually caved in until I was camouflaged in my own bed, like E.T. in the closet!

Thanks for sparking the re-memory.

I miss you Nan.

Merry Christmas.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

2 posted 2008-12-26 05:33 AM

Nan, at my age I still collect bears, well I only started about 20 years ago. Rue would have been a perfect addition to my collection~~

Hoping you are having a happy and healthy holiday season!

M

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

3 posted 2008-12-26 08:12 AM

Thank you for the wonderful holiday gift you've given us, Nan, a beautifully written bare heart beat.

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

4 posted 2008-12-26 08:42 AM

ahh, Nan, you still come out and write so beautifully...Merry Christmas...(you still have that old eraser?)

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

5 posted 2008-12-26 10:16 AM

Karen, Maureen, Kacy - thank you kindly, and I hope you had a wondeful Christmas - and now a Happy New Year..

And Toe - I do, I do have my

- But you guys have been behaving lately.. Merry Christmas 'n stuff..

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

6 posted 2008-12-26 10:43 PM

Nan - so nice to see you once again. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and Rue also...

BC

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

7 posted 2008-12-29 12:59 PM

Nan, the moment I started reading this poem I ADORED and WANTED Rue.  However, seeing that he has somebody else to love him now, I will leave that little child in peace with his beautiful and darling Rue.

My heart bleeds for all the teddies and other cuddly animal toys I see on shelves and I ESPECIALLY ache for those teddies made to hang by their heads from the ceiling (OuCHHHHHHHH!) and those upside down on shelves or facing the back of the shelf.  I want EVERY SINGLE teddy and cuddly animal toy I see.  I just hate the thought of any of them feeling lonely or unloved.

Please stroke your magnificat for me.  He/she is ggggggggggorgeous (please tell him/her I said so).

- Owl

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

8 posted 2008-12-29 04:51 PM

You post too seldom... but you're worth waiting for!! *S* Loved this!

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

9 posted 2008-12-29 04:57 PM

Yo dear Nan,

Sad bears make the best friends.

That's the way it works.

Love Bobby

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

10 posted 2008-12-30 09:22 AM

Neatly written, Nan. Mery Christmas to you, and may your next year be filled with wonder.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

11 posted 2008-12-30 10:59 AM

What a delightful Christmas write! I wanted to claim Rue as my own and give him a lovely home with all my other teddies! ~ of the bear variety, that is! hohoho

Nan, you are a wonderful poet and story-teller!

I hope your Christmas was merry and that 2009 with be filled with wonder and joy!

Love & Best Wishes,
Linda

Misty Lilacs
Senior Member

since 2005-11-15

Posts 1060
White Birch Forest

12 posted 2008-12-30 11:28 AM

Nan, you are such a fabulous poetess. I do wish you would write and post more often.

Wishing you a healthy and peaceful New Year.

ooxx

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

13 posted 2008-12-30 12:35 PM

Now aren't you sorry you thought my assignment to you was silly?

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

14 posted 2008-12-30 02:16 PM

Happy Holidays, Bill - Thanks for stopping by..

Hey Owl - we must be able to find a Rue for You.. Thanks for reading.

suthern - "S" backatcha

Bobby - Much appreciation - Happy Holidays to you..

Scalawag -

Linda - the good news is - We can all have a Rue.. just give the little guy a name. Happy Holidays..

Marti - Missing you - and hoping you're loving NH - Happy Days to you & your Ron

Deer - No, no, no - I didn't think the assignment was silly - It was YOU who was silly - and I'm thankful for it - Happy New Year, Deer..

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

15 posted 2008-12-31 12:00 PM

Wonderful...James

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

16 posted 2008-12-31 01:25 AM

Good grief! I missed it - galdernit! What a cute story, and if you were a blue rue, I'd love you

Merry Christmas belated, and Happy New Year too m'friend of the Cape.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

17 posted 2009-01-06 03:59 PM

What a lovely Christmas poem, Nan. I would have picked Rue, too. I was so busy over the holidays that I missed this one and had to go back and pick it up. So glad I did.
Ida

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

18 posted 2009-01-06 06:31 PM

James, Sharon, and Ida - thank you all so much for stepping back to the holiday poems and enjoying mine..

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