Tag Archives: materialism

Waters Grow Cold

Waters grow cold

As the summer sun sets.

A new season,

With holidays to warm the heart

Blossom amongst winters frost.

We give thanks

With family and friends gathered

Round our cosy tables.

An American tradition,

Too oft’ overshadowed by Christ’s Day

And corporations lust for profits.

We have bastardized all that is good

For Black Friday and our lust for deals.

Step back…is this what is important,

Are bargains and materialism

What Thanksgiving and Christmas are all about?

Look to the past,

Families enjoying the simple things

Like companionship and familial love.

This is what these holidays are about

These are what we are about.

It is not about gifts,

It is not about things,

It is about friends,

Family,

Thanks,

It is about our love for Christ and our fellow man.

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

NOTE: I realize that Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday are over, but I still think this piece applies to the entire holiday season.

What is the Measure of a Man’s Life

What is the measure of a man’s life,

I don’t know but for myself.

Money never bought me happiness;

At least none that lasted more than a brief moment.

Cars…I’ve had many,

Exciting when shiny and new,

But their luster is lost over time as is their value.

I do not live in a palace,

It is modest to say the least and more than I need.

Retirement savings are but a dream,

I will likely work until I am called home.

With all this…what is the measure of my life?

It is family, my wife and children,

Their love for me as I love them.

It is the sun that rises overhead

And the life-giving rains that fall,

It is everything that nature provides.

It is living in harmony with the natural world,

Not fighting it or conquering it.

Yes, there is bad mixed with the good,

Pain and suffering mixed with the ecstasy,

But at the end of my days,

This will be the measure of this man.

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

 

New Years (Acrostic)

Now this year, it comes to a close

Ending on the wings of The Dove.

What lies ahead, no one knows,  but

Yahweh in heaven above.

Each resolution we swear to uphold

And honor what Christmas time brings.

Returning as quickly to ourselves of old,

In our lust for material things..

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

 

Hark The Herold Angels Sing

Hark the Herold Angels Sing,

Though now it falls on deaf ears.

Ushering in the Heavenly King,

Whose death no longer brings tears.

 

Lessons he taught in Gospels treasured,

Of peace and goodwill toward men.

Is doled out in statement of profits measured,

Beating records for sales once again.

 

Magi of old Bethlehem Star they followed,

With precious gifts to give to their Lord.

Today Christmas’ meaning has truly been hollowed,

With Black Friday and doorbusters for the hoards.

 

The birth of God’s Son in manger mild,

Welcoming the promise of old.

We’ve forgotten the gift of Heaven’s Child,

Preferring what’s bought and what’s sold.

 

Maybe it’s time to bring Christ back to Christmas,

Just where he always meant to live.

Before it’s too late and it’s meaning has passed,

Instead of receiving it’s best that we give.

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

 

Sad Is This Season

Sad is this season
That its kindness is fleeting
Gone in the new year
Replaced once again with greed
And loveless human spirit
Quickly we forget
The message of tradition
Tossing it aside
When it no longer serves us
Returning to loathsome ways

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

Lighted Trees, Presents (Senryu)

Embed from Getty Images

Lighted trees, presents

Meaning lost on the season

Materialism

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

So Demanding

So demanding, so selfish,

Looking out for “me” and me alone.

Didn’t your mother tell you,

Play nice and share.

When denied–anger rages,

Desires, like flames burn.

When left unchecked

Humanity suffers;

Feeding materialism,

Hunger for power,

Loss of compassion.

There is no peace,

Thirst cannot be quenched,

Enough is never enough

Needing ever more to survive.

Without spirit

The monster is revealed.

Without love and compassion

The host becomes a shell

Succumbing to the alter.

Tyrants and despots

Know this far too well.

Do not fall victim to this knave

For the path can lead to darkness.

You are the master–

Demand subservience

As if your soul depends on it

From the spoiled child,

…Ego.

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

 

This Walk Amongst The Dead

This walk amongst the dead.

This dance with mortality.

Partnered with those that believe they will live forever.

Gathering, greedily hoarding every last cent

They race to the pinnacle of their professions

At the expense of those they deem competition,

Trampling anyone who gets in their way.

Fattened as the calf bank accounts swell as do their bellies.

Designer clothes and jewelry adorn their swollen vessels.

No thought do they give to the rest of humanity;

Their fellow man is but an impedance to future success.

They have no time for them,

No time for their mates nor their children,

No time for their brothers and sisters that share this earth.

What is their endgame?

When is enough, enough?

They don’t realize that they are already dead,

Dead to the world, their mates and their children.

Paupers as they were at birth

With their final blink there will be no wealth,

No grand houses,

No designer clothes,

No jewelry;

No one will weep on their pine box.

When the last shovel-full of dirt is thrown on their grave

They will be utterly alone, naked and penniless

–Before their Maker.

 

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~