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Open Poetry #36
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My Christmas Gift
| Open Poetry #36 |
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My Christmas Gift |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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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).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
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 |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
What a wonderful gift this is to us... it's great to read your work, lady! *S* |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
big smiles from this side of PA...wonderful read |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
It's so good to read you Ruth... and this is wonderful! Hugs~Nancy ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
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 ... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
No one tugs on our heartstrings quite like you do... Merry Christmas, m'dear... as always, your messages leave a lesson in our stockings... . |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
Beautifully written. |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Indeed this is the true meaning of christmas. It is good to read something from you, again. Hope you are doing well. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
A true Christmas spirit poem, which gave me goose pimpels and that, m'dear, is quite an accomplishment! Good to see you again.  |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all for your warm comments...there's nothing like coming home for Christmas Ruth |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Lovely...James |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
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 |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
...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. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
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  |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
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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