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Open Poetry #36
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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2005-11-30 11:47 AM


My Christmas Gift

The year was Nineteen Eighty Three
It was late into December
The snow lay thick upon the trees
Those things I can remember

Its been twenty long years since then
And death is one step nearer
My mind’s not what it once had been
But on this I can’t be clearer

Christmas time was nearing fast
The stores a hum with bustle
And I with shopping left till last
Was caught up in the hustle

I’d passed the child not once, but twice
Though never paid her heed
I grumbled, haggled o’re a price
Of some forgotten need

I quickly chose my purchases
Made swiftly towards the door
Arms a load with packages
I hurried out the store

‘Twas then I heard the tiny voice
So faint above the noise
I turned to see the little girl
There, lost among the toys

Please Mister can you spare some change
She said, then softly paused
You see, my brother still believes
There is a Santa Claus

My father’s out of work again
His factory’s been closed down
And mom, God rest her soul’s now been
Three years beneath the ground

I wouldn’t ask but Tommy, he,
Has been real sick you see
And we’ve no money left to put
One gift beneath our tree

I looked into her eyes of blue
Now brimming wet with tears
And thought of all the money I
Had wasted through the years

I pondered all the gifts I’d bought
For people with no need
And all the things I’d had to have
Fueled by my selfish greed

I tried to make excuses
But my mind gave way to reason
It was then I finally understood
The meaning of the season

I bought the toy store out that year
For kids I didn’t know
I emptied all the shelves inside
And cleared the store window

Oh yes, how I remember well
That Christmas full of giving
When I, a man of Sixty-five,
Finally started living


I am nothing special...and my name will soon be forgotten,but I've loved another with all my heart and soul,and to me,this has always been enough.~N.S

[This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (12-01-2005 06:50 PM).]

© Copyright 2005 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
1 posted 2005-11-30 11:58 AM


Now that, Dear Ruth, is what I'd call the true meaning of gift-giving. What a wonderful Christmas story! You are quite the raconteur!

It really is good to see you back, Wise One!

Sending you lots of love,
Linda

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
2 posted 2005-11-30 01:37 PM


What a wonderful gift this is to us... it's great to read your work, lady! *S*
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2005-11-30 01:48 PM


big smiles from this side of PA...wonderful read
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2005-11-30 01:49 PM


It's so good to read you Ruth...
and this is wonderful!
Hugs~Nancy

~ Trace my body with your words..
  in doing so, you touch my heart ~

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2005-11-30 04:55 PM


RuthieDear~
The entirety of this is so very touching~
I'll be sharing your *gift* with others this year~
Thank you dear poetess~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*No matter what I search for ...
let me know when it is LOVE that I find*~ <))><

Email -       noles1@totcon.com       

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2005-11-30 05:25 PM



No one tugs
on our heartstrings
quite like you do...

Merry Christmas, m'dear...

as always,
your messages leave
a lesson in our stockings...



.

inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
7 posted 2005-11-30 06:21 PM


Beautifully written.

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
8 posted 2005-11-30 06:55 PM


Indeed this is the true meaning of christmas. It is good to read something from you, again. Hope you are doing well.
Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
9 posted 2005-11-30 07:08 PM


A true Christmas spirit poem, which gave me goose pimpels and that, m'dear, is quite an accomplishment! Good to see you again.
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
10 posted 2005-12-01 09:33 AM


Thank you all for your warm comments...there's nothing like coming home for Christmas
Ruth

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
11 posted 2005-12-02 05:24 PM


Lovely...James
kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
12 posted 2005-12-02 09:36 PM


This is such a beautiful story, Ruth, thank you for sharing it.  We all need to have it affirmed what this season is really about.  A most peaceful and blessed Christmas to you.  Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
13 posted 2005-12-02 10:36 PM


...a beautiful and heart lifting story and poem, Ruth.  It is so good to see you!  I wish that you would stop by Pip more often and gift us with your poetic wisdom.  
garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
14 posted 2005-12-02 10:57 PM


Ruth, this is so beautiful. That is truly
the real meaning of Christmas. If only we
all would remember that.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful
gift with us!
Hugs,
Ethel

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
15 posted 2005-12-02 11:28 PM


That dear Ruth was the real meaning of Christmas and no matter what they call the days in the years ahead, not one person will ever be able to take away that feeling that just warmed my heart as it will theirs.  Beautiful story that can be told all through the coming holidays.  Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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