What Christmas Is All About

Another "Life Writing" poem.

Santa slides down the chimney with grace, hoping the children he does not wake.
Placing the neatly wrapped toys under the tree, while his smile is filled with glee.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream?

On the television screen a football game can be seen, and in the living room a Christmas tree stands tall and green.
Mom is in the kitchen with Aunt Sally and Miss Susie Mae, cooking the special dinner of the day.
Everyone has been fed and all the Christmas cards have been read.
You open your presents and to your dismay all you have gotten so far is socks, shirts, and lingerie.
As the day progresses on and everyone begins to leave, you feel happy and quite relieved that the day went well and you even got a present from stingy old cousin Gayle.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream?

In the hospital, a mother smiles.
For the birth of a wonderful child.
The father sighs with relief.
The children stand in awed belief.
The doctor said, "It's a girl."  "It's a boy."
Grandma came and brought a toy.
The family sent cards and many things.
Oh, what joy a baby brings.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream?

In a dark alley a lonely man sits, he needs help, but that no stranger will admit.
He has but one thought and that is what has this Christmas brought.
This Christmas has brought nothing but sadness and hardship and many unmentionable slips.
For his wife just died, his house burned down, and now he has no use for pride.
What has life to offer this man, but an empty plate and a bowl of sand.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream?

In a dark room She sits, and wonders why on this holiday does she cry.
Mom and Dad just called the marriage to an end, because of Dad's new found friend.
She must decide with who she wants to reside.  All She wants really wants to do is hide.
There is no Aunt Sally and no Miss Susie Mae.  There is no special dinner of the day.
Everything is not going well and there is no stingy old cousin Gayle.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream?


Now, I take you back to that cold December day, when the sky was clear, but the feeling was not so gay.
For King Herrod had declared that all men had to return to their homeland to be taxed.
In the town of Nazareth, Joseph gathered his wife and placed her on a donkey's back.
She was great with Child and the journey was long, but this Child was special and with Him no one could go wrong.
As they entered the city of Bethlehem that hard task of finding a room begins, but there was no room in any of the inns,
So into a stable they had to stay and once again God had made a way.
Jesus was born on that day and in a bed of hay He did lay.
The angles sang and bells rang and told of the special news, the East star likewise did the shepherds amuse,
For it told of the special birth that had just occurred on the planet Earth.
The wise men came with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as Jesus laid with the herd.
I ask you now, is this the scene that depicts the Christmas dream? 

Up Above The Clouds

The clouds look like white cotton candy.
So beautiful to behold.
The white milky substance engulfs us all about.
The sun shining bright.
So beautiful to behold.
Sprinkles of blue sky seen here and there.
God you are a wonderful creator.
Is this what eagles see on every flight?
Up above the clouds, I sit in wondrous thought.
Is this just a little glimpse of what Heaven is like?

Sunday Morning Service

Another one of my "Life Writing" Poems.

"What a friend we have in Jesus,"
My brother songs in his usual off key tones.
"Lord, why must that boy always sings,"
My mother moans.
I look in the mirror,
As I continued to get dressed.
Today is the day,
The Lord will truly bless.
The breakfast of champions.
"Wheaties" of course.
My brother is still singing,
But now it sounds worse.
Dad makes a face.
Then he screams,
"Boy, be quiet,
Cause you can't even sing!"
My brother shrugs his shoulders,
Then walks off with a frown.
My mother goes and hugs him,
So, he won't feel down.
We grab bibles, purses,
And all else.
I had to go back,
To get Mom's keys off the shelf.

We arrive at the church,
Not a moment too late.
We missed early morning service.
It started at eight.
Sunday school is just beginning.
The Superintendent does his bit.
The classes are called to order.
And everyone sits.
Sis. Faye explains the lesson,
Showing her years of experience.
Then Jason asks a question.
The answer made sense.
Ester counted how many were there.
And took up the offering.
As Trina picked something out of Brandon's hair.

Sunday School is finally over.
We gather in the hall.
We talk. We laugh.
But mostly we hold up the wall.
We clown and we talk some more.
Deacon Chauncey yells,
"Ya'll are talking too loud!"
Sherron makes a face.
Herbert echoes, "Ya'll are talking too loud!"
I blink for a second.


Then I stare.
Uhm, my Lord.
Rabin looks good standing over there.
Wait a minute here.
Let me get my mind on track.
Out of the corner of my eye,
I see Rabin staring back.
We sing the morning hymn,
"I'll Fly Away."
Then Rev. Lester says, "Bow your heads,
Then, he prays.
He prayed for the nation.
And every man.
He prayed for healing
All over this land.
Elder Phillips read a scripture.
Verse by verse.
I saw Mama Narist
Put something in her purse.
Time for testimonies,
So the blessings people can tell.
The first person to testify
Was Minister Ray Shell.
Then came Missionary Stacy Bearse,
Energetic as ever.
She told the story of
How God saved her son Trevor.
Then she told another story.
She sure said a lot of words.
She ended enthusiastically,
"What a mighty God, I serve!"

"Are you ready for the choir?",
Asked Elder Jangleton as the musician
played some notes.
The directress took her place.
As the soloist cleared her throat.
"God is everything to me,"
From the choir as they rocked and clapped.
Liz sang a verse.
She asked the people to clap.
The song is over.
The audience gave its applause.
Then Ronnie took the mike
To sing "I Will Trust In The Lord."
Somebody said, "Hallelujah."
Somebody said, "Gone and sang."
Sis. Greer raised her hands.
Through the rafters Ronnie's voice rang.

Sabrina Ransom read the announcements.
So everyone could hear.
"Take heed accordingly."
Eeh Marlowe is playing with her ear.
Time for the welcome.
Here comes Cevelia Merchant down the aisle.
All the guests stand.
As she welcomes them with a smile.
"What time is it?"
"It's offering time."
"What time is it?"
"It's offering time."
Sister Quester officiates the offering
With her usual style and flair.
$100, $50, $20, 5.
People in the sanctuary stand,
everywhere.

The preacher stands
For the preached word.
Now I know she ain't nodding.
"Look at Mother Mattie Byrd."
He gives honor.
To whom honor is due.
He says a few other words.
Then his greetings are through.
He read his scripture.
Matthew 6:24-34.
He said, "I'd like to use for a subject
"Push Button Faith.".

A few people said, "Yes."
Somebody said, "Amen."
Sis. Barrea frowned at her kids.
And Missionary Turner raised her hand.
He talked for a few minutes,
About fast forward and rewind.
He told us some things.
To contemplate in our minds.
He went on a little while longer.

Then he began to tune up.
Before he got too happy,
He told the organist to catch up.
He said, "Uhh huh," and "Oo yea."
He said, "Lord, have mercy."
Bro. King stated, "Amen."
So did Deacon Percy.
He tugged his ear.
He waved his hand.
He said, "Push button religion."
Then I saw a few people stand.
We were having church.
And that was for sure.
He drew to a close about two times.
Maybe it was four.
He told one more story.
Then his voice began to slow.
He said a few more words.
Then, he let us go.


Outside in the vestibule
Things are in disarray.
Kids screaming for their mother.
And David looking for his Uncle Donald Ray.
Rabin walks by me.
I think I may just die.
He spoke to Sis. Myles.
Then he told me hi.
"Girl, you better bring your behind on!"
Lord, why is that boy talking so loud.
I grimace at my brother.
As I push through the crowd.
There stands Sis. Jenkins,
In her purple dress.
What is Minister Talton talking about?
I sure like his vest.
I hop in the car.
And wave at Bishop Pervis.
I can't wait until next time
For Sunday morning service.

Spiraling Down

Once my heart felt moments of sheer pleasure,
At the very thought of your name.
But now, with each passing moment,
Even your initials bring pain!

Why did I ever look at you that way?
Knowing full well that nothing would come of my thoughts.
Now, every time I see your face,
Sadness, pain, hurt, and anger are wrought.

Just when I think the pain is over,
Here comes another detail in the awful story.
Will it ever cease, will it ever stop?
How long must my heart ache, bleed, and worry?

I am spiraling down a long road that seems to know no end.
My heart hurts and tears are all my eyes can see.
I am spiraling down a long road that I hope doesn't curve to often.
My stomach is empty and my anger has almost consumed me.

I pray each day that this anguish would cease,
But my prayers seem to not be answered.
I cry each night that my heart would be free,
But it seems as if my tears don't hold the answer.


Lord, give me the strength to ride this spiral.
I don't know if it will ever stop.
Lord, help me hold steadfast.
I just hope this spiral down doesn't make my heart drop.

The Spell Is Gone

I was once under your hypnotic spell.
I am no longer hypnotized, but I'm overwhelmed.
Pain replaces dreams, when I think of you.
Bewildered and hurt, what is a girl to do?

Thoughts of you linger, but I only cry.
The biggest thought, why did you have to lie?
It's my own fault, I knew I had no chance.
But for a brief moment, I hoped for a romance.
Some things in my life are remnants of you.
Clearing out those mementos will be hard to do.
I know now that all my dreams were fake.


The spell is gone, it's no longer there.
It's replaced with the heavy heart I wear.
The spell is gone, I wish the pain was too.
Befuddled and wounded, what is a girl to do?

Sometimes I Feel Like Crying

Sometimes I feel like crying,
Because things seem so bad.
The world has gone crazy,
So many people sad.
What can I do to change the world?
And help this pain they feel.
Sometimes I feel like crying,
But there's nothing I can really do.

Sometimes I feel like crying,
Because life seems so tragic.
Here one moment,
Gone the next.
Life is truly fleeting.

Sometimes I feel like crying,
I don't have the friends I want.
Most of the time, no one seems to care.
I give out all of the love.
And no one returns the favor.


I pray for strength to make it through,
That's all that keeps me going.
Gold help me each day, I pray,
For sometimes I feel like crying.

Oh, To Be Romantic

I long to be romantic.
But alas, I can't.
Family stature and my nomenclature won't let me do or be such.
Walking on the beach barefoot
Would be a wondrous delight.
To stare at the fireplace,
Roasting marshmallows through the night.
A long drive into the country.
A picnic by the lake.
Looking up at the clouds.
Making snow angels in snowflakes.

All wonderful romantic treats.