At this joyous time of the year
Venerated throughout these many centuries,
Are not earthly goods transacted without thought to the season,
Raising questions of greed and desire?
Is this not the poignant warning
Charles Dickens ghosts so eloquently foretold?
Evil lives in the seven deadly sins.
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~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Peace, goodwill towards men–
I believed this once,
A long, long time ago it seems.
I can still remember her smile,
The love of my life,
Us…hand-in-hand,
Not a care in our perfect little world.
And the kids–
Oh how they loved Christmas.
Not just the presents,
The paper, the bows,
But the time we spent together.
We were a family,
A perfect design by Hallmark.
Now she’s gone,
The years were not kind to her;
And the kids–,
Grown, families of their own–
Don’t come around much anymore.
Hell, I don’t remember the last time.
The gesture of a card would be nice
Just to let me know they cared,
That they remembered me,
But no…
It was not meant to be,
Alone I sit, stranded for the holidays.
This wasn’t how I saw my later years,
Aged, lonely,
Awaiting the ghost of Christmas past.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
~
Writing Prompt: Tuesday’s Thinking 17 December – By Jeremy Farmer – The Boi Poet
Thoughts of correctness–political or otherwise rise this time of year,
Merry Christmas replaced by Happy Holidays so as not to offend.
Is this not still Christmas which we for so long held dear,
There has been no change in the calendar I do portend.
.
What–pray tell is of such offense during this season so joyous,
Are not both happiness and goodwill the same amongst all?
Making merry at this time was once so pleasant–boisterous;
Kind smiles and hearty handshakes have suffered in pall.
.
Abstain if you must, from this merriment we freely offer,
Wallow in self-pity and become victim to your social demise.
There is far more to Christmas than filling retailers coffers,
Its a chance to renew our faith in man with a clearer set of eyes.
.
Regardless of religion take from this holiday what you will,
For if nothing but kindness and generosity, then your heart it will fill.
.
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
I found myself staring,
Looking into a forest of festive lights;
Twinkling–red, green, blue, white.
The cold was forgotten,
Replaced by warmth and peace.
When I awoke…
Standing as a statue
Dusk seemed brighter,
It’s colors more vibrant,
A sense of joy filled my heart.
I was bathed in the spirit,
A renewed man.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
A thing of the past
We have become ungrateful
Feigning excitement
Mesmerized by Black Friday
And all of its false idols
Its meaning replaced
By glossy ads–hypnotic
And sworn good fortune
Thanksgiving–gone to the heap
With Christmas soon to follow
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
What is Thanksgiving
Nothing but Black Friday Eve
Prelude to Christmas
Our culture sold for profit
Our history up for grabs
We’ve become hollow
Freely giving up our souls
To the next slick ad
Our materialism
What does this say about us
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
By D. R. DiFrancesco
~~~~~~
Tree lined streets draped in white lights
Shine like so many stars in the heavens
Shop windows with edges frosted
Frame the season in all it’s glory
~~
Boys, with their noses pressed to the glass
Breath leaving an innocent fog obscuring their vision
Electric trains guarded by toy soldiers
Smiling wide eyed observers left speechless with anticipation
~~
Little girls drawn to sparkling blue eyes of dolls that cry Mama
Bathing them in hugs and kisses
Joy of the holiday blushing their cheeks
The sweet innocence of the child
~~
Santa Clause greets his loyal believers with a knowing grin
Rosy red cheeks and a beard of snow his calling card
Ho Ho Ho echos above the noise of the crowd
Signaling the approach of Christmas day.
~~
Sidewalks filled with holiday shoppers
The joyous sound of carolers fills the frosty air
Good cheer is the calling of the day
Were it only that these feelings would last throughout the year
~~
Reminiscing on past Christmas’ brings such happiness
With simpler times came fewer expectations
The latest toy or game was less important
Instead family, friends and the true meaning of Christmas became the greatest gifts of all
credit – fanpop.com
By D. R. DiFrancesco
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In this most festive time of year,
Let us not forget amongst our Christmas cheer,
In whom the honor of this day be blessed,
Exalted on High above all the rest.
~~
Every year at this time we tend to get lost,
Spending more than we have at almost any cost,
For fear we’ll disappoint the ones that we love,
Most surely we wouldn’t, petty things they’re above.
~~
This is not why the Lord brought his Son to this earth,
He is the gift in Christmas that was given at birth,
Nothing in this world to Him could compare,
With the sacrifice of Christ that God wholly did share.
~~
Our boxes and bows are mere trinkets to Him,
Valueless in comparison might I go out on a limb,
Tinsel and garland are beautiful it is true,
Lights of white, yellow, red, green orange and blue.
~~
These are not what Christmas time is about,
Not the trees, decorations, or the gifts that you tout,
Its about love and charity done all the year through,
Kindness shown unto others in all that we do.
~~
Its being thankful for Christ as we live out His word,
For benevolence though silent can still be powerfully heard,
This may be the greatest gift that as mortals we can give,
A gift we may freely offer for as long as we live.
~~
So enjoy your Christmas trees and your twinkling lights,
Just remember our Lord and His Bethlehem night,
For His gift that He gave so many years ago,
Is the only one we need through joyful song we do show.
~~
Draw nearer to you all your family and friends,
Shouting praises and prayer up to heaven you send,
We celebrate your birth baby Jesus whom we hold oh so dear,
May we embody the Christmas spirit all through the year.
Dom DiFrancesco 