Back To Reality
Santa's bells have all stopped jingling. Once again he's far away
unharnessing his trusty reindeer, brushing out his empty sleigh.
He can relax and put his feet up - for a little while, at least -
and tuck into his very late, but welcome, Christmas feast.
Soon, the busy tills start ringing, totting up the sales,
as shoppers grab at tempting bargains - often fighting tooth and nail -
to spend their hoarded Christmas money while the going's good
and all expensive, luxury items cost only half of what they should.
Scrooge would have been delighted to watch this money flow
into the merchant's coffers. But outside in the snow
are many folks who're destined for another sleepless night
upon the cold and icy streets, without a warm fire's light.
Still opulence and poverty go walking hand in hand;
an odd, double relationship that's hard to understand.
Each Christmas serves to highlight how the two stand side by side,
those who have, or have not, a happy Christmastide.
A quick, late, Tuesday post script - anybody reading the comments now on this post, might be puzzled by A Woman of No Importance; she it talking about the no-card card I emailed to many Blogpals for whom I have actual email addresses. If you are one of those still hiding behind noreply-comment @blogger.com, you can click here and see what you missed! She has cleverly posted the picture on her sidebar.
Santa's bells have all stopped jingling. Once again he's far away
unharnessing his trusty reindeer, brushing out his empty sleigh.
He can relax and put his feet up - for a little while, at least -
and tuck into his very late, but welcome, Christmas feast.
Soon, the busy tills start ringing, totting up the sales,
as shoppers grab at tempting bargains - often fighting tooth and nail -
to spend their hoarded Christmas money while the going's good
and all expensive, luxury items cost only half of what they should.
Scrooge would have been delighted to watch this money flow
into the merchant's coffers. But outside in the snow
are many folks who're destined for another sleepless night
upon the cold and icy streets, without a warm fire's light.
Still opulence and poverty go walking hand in hand;
an odd, double relationship that's hard to understand.
Each Christmas serves to highlight how the two stand side by side,
those who have, or have not, a happy Christmastide.
A quick, late, Tuesday post script - anybody reading the comments now on this post, might be puzzled by A Woman of No Importance; she it talking about the no-card card I emailed to many Blogpals for whom I have actual email addresses. If you are one of those still hiding behind noreply-comment @blogger.com, you can click here and see what you missed! She has cleverly posted the picture on her sidebar.
jinsky, this post makes me a bit sad...I do hate the thought of those without a bed or warm meal.......I think of them often and other than donate to the Salvation Army I do very little for them....makes me feel guilty for being so blessed......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this. Unfortunately, as the Bible says 'The poor are always with us.' One of my great regrets, as an old woman, is that all the things I thought were going to be put right in my lifetime are as bad as ever. I feel involved in the failure, somehow. Maybe 2010.......
ReplyDeleteFrom Scrooge (loosely): It's at this time of the year that Want is most keenly felt.
ReplyDeletehello jinksy! this is all too true and real. happily as time passes , my community has become much more aware and caring of those whose lives have left them without the essentials. particularly young people who have made choices that worked to their disadvantage. i'm proud of the people of my town for that. indeed my town donates more per capita than any other community in the country. it is not a rich town in any way shape or form! have a happy new year. steven
ReplyDeleteAlways thought-provoking, la Jinks... The only people who get rich are the stores (and the rotten bankers), while the rest of us go like lambs to the slaughter... I don't 'do' sheep-like things, so the sales are not for me... I couldn't care less about them, they're mostly shams in any case... I worry most about the younger folk who are on their own, apart from their families, at this time... Few charities support them.
ReplyDeleteLove to you, la Jinksette! xox And your picture was amazing, I never realised it was the stained glass photo - Don't worry about copyright, this was someone's pic on Photobucket and it was a church window - So accessible to all... You are a wonderful artiste!
Such a touching poem, Jinsky. And sadly - too true.
ReplyDeleteToo, too true. Yes, back to reality for sure.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
You summed up both sides of Christmastide so well.May I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh!
ReplyDeleteAnother memory, long forgotten, quite deliberately I might add.
Many years ago as a junior airman, so junior that the threat of 'getting busted' (demotion in the ranks) wasn't a threat at all, I was 'tried' and 'convicted' of misappropriating government property.
The short version: One winter I took six blankets that hadn't been used for the past year, as far as I could see, and donated them to a nodding acquaintance who sold 'The Big Issue' on a strategic street corner.
When I found myself in a 6x6 foot cell with a wooden pallet for a bed and a SINGLE blanket to cover with, I realised that I hadn't done enough!
No, I didn't repeat my error. And since it was a military matter, heard in a military court (of sorts), I didn't pick up a conviction either ...
My grandson is a driver for a private ambulance company...on one of the coldest nights recently, he and his partner handed out wool blankets to homeless people living near a bridge. Other passer-bys in cars tooted their horns in recognition of their good deed!
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem...and a reminder to me that there are those without a permanent home, and that our hearts should be warm, open, loving and giving all year round.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, jinksy. Thank you for your splendid work...all year round.
Hugs,
Jackie
the richness of christmas does somehow highlight the cold and poverty that is around every day.. time to count our blessings. and give where we can.
ReplyDeleteJinksy
ReplyDeleteThis break between Christmas and New year celebrations is an ideal time to reflect. This post does much to encourage just that.
Of course, the sales round here are launched in timing with all the returned gifts nobody fancied, heh, heh...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem Jinksydear. Teacher's Pet has put my feelings into words better than I could myself.
ReplyDelete(You'll be pleased to know that the Dutch people have given more than 7 (yes, seven) million (yes, million) euros to fight malaria. More money than Serious Request has ever collected before.)
Oh, yes, another Christmas gone. A New Year looms ahead. May it be filled with love and laughter!
ReplyDeleteNice one Jinksy! Happy and Healthy New Year to you!
ReplyDeletepositively Victorian in word and sentiment.
ReplyDeleteThem sentiments are mine exactly! Let's all boycott the sales.
Still opulence and poverty go walking hand in hand; an odd, double relationship that's hard to understand. Each Christmas serves to highlight how the two stand side by side,
ReplyDeletethose who have, or have not, a happy Christmastide.
I think more of this with each passing year!
can you really produce a poem out of seemingly no where just off the cuff so to speak????what a heart you must have
ReplyDeleteRespect for all,ourself and others may help alot!Then the rest will follow.A thought will then lie behind our buying,helping others ,our existance on the earth.Again your writing makes me think.Thankyou have a good New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to escape from reality, if only for one day!
ReplyDeleteThere's no two ways about it, that was lovely! I enjoyed your careful choice of words and couplet quatrains is a grand way. I don't remember the last time I heard anyone use the word "Christmastide." Bravo Jinksy.
ReplyDelete