Poet’s Corner – Lift Your Glass, It’s Christmastime

(Three score Christmas past:
I sit with my loves;
Some felt;
Some seen;
Some lost in ether;
Some?  A dream.
Bells of time, knelling:
I have caroled
Holding hands;
Singing songs of peace and joy
For life across the lands.)

Children dream of sugarplums.
Silent is the Night.
We all hear The Little Drummer Boy,
While we dream a Christmas, White.
We all can tell you what Christmas is,
No matter where we live.
It’s why we grow to understand:
The gift ‘s in what we give.

The gift of time, wrapped in a heart,
Which gives no matter what.
The gift of touch, a hand that’s warm;
Shared feelings from our gut.
A Christmas meal with fav’rite friend;
A Christmas song to sing;
A movie watched with loved ones,
Where angels get their wings.
A hug, for those out in the night
When there’s nowhere else to go;
Or a smile for a stranger,
When winter winds begin to blow;
Or the soldier in the Holy Land
Asking God, “But, Why?”
While holding a machine gun,
Pointed toward the sky.
We pay it forward for those behind;
And help Grandma cross a street;
And for the ones lost, ‘cause they’re blind,
We guide them through the bittersweet.

I remember children playing,
‘Round the Christmas Tree:
And as I look out from my heart’s lens;
I see a child that is me;
My head thrown back from laughter;
Hanging rain of leaded shine;
Nomo Bubbles going nowhere;
With popcorn on a line.
The paper stars, that Mama cut,
Dipped in ruby colored wax;
Would adorn the tree that Daddy cut
With Grandpa Wilson’s axe.

It’s when I look to the Northern Star,
I feel profound recall.
For every life on planet earth–
Our thoughts are big and small.
And so is Christmas, don’t you see?
Whether we believe in it or not.
For 3-score past, it’s come to me
That Christmas is what we’ve got:
Inside our home;
Inside our soul;
Inside every tot.
There’s sparkle inside the eyes of hope;
And hope for eyes which cannot shine;
Still, in this moment, while you’re reading this;
Lift your glass…
It’s Christmastime.

Top photo: Bigstock

Share This Post:

Bluesky Icon Bluesky
Facebook

Manlio Parrini was hailed for his film, “Broken Truths,” but found, ironically, that the industry was, “a place without truth.” Decades after he walked away, he has one more film to make. But when his…

“Imagination” and “Balance” just seem to go together. Marsha Solomon brings them together in her poem and artwork.

Nearly everyone dismisses Kausar Khan, aka, Detective Aunty, as a nosy, old, Indian woman. But since she proved her daughter, Sana, innocent of murder, her neighbors in Toronto now respect and fear her abilities.

It’s 1968. While war is raging in Vietnam, protests are growing on American campuses. Even though Piper Lewis lives in Bangkok, across the border from the fighting, she is sheltered from its fallout. Until she…

I’m always excited to discover a mystery writer I have somehow overlooked. Stig Abell has created an intriguing character, Jake Jackson, who makes his fourth appearance in “A Twist in the River.”

Daphne and her husband, Jonathan, are enjoying a day at the Met when he sees a white-haired man following them from room to room. They finally meet and Daphne is face to face with Eddie,…

The Hidden Costs of Luxury Household Management Without Professional Staff in Miami

Miami luxury homeowners often assume that skipping professional staff saves money. No payroll, no agency fees, fewer commitments. But running a multi million dollar home without trained support costs far more than most owners ever calculate. The families who feel this most are high net worth individuals who manage everything themselves or piece together scattered vendors without central coordination. Many eventually connect with a Miami domestic staffing agency once the pressure of managing a large

read more

The Marriage Stress Test: Signs Your Relationship Can Handle Adversity

Modern relationship is a relationship in an era of unprecedented choice. Life has changed the way people think about dating long-term relationships due to social media, dating sites, lifestyle comparisons and constant exposure to other options. So often, when we feel that our relationship is in a state of flux, we may see this as a sign that, fundamentally, there are issues that need to be addressed. Indicator 1: The Financial Shock Response A household

read more

The Essential Checklist for First-Time Solo Travelers

Have you ever stood in front of a packed suitcase and wondered whether anything important was forgotten? That moment captures the excitement and uncertainty that often accompany solo travel. More people are choosing independent journeys today than ever before. Flexible work arrangements, changing lifestyle priorities, and a growing desire for personal experiences have encouraged travelers to venture out alone. Destinations ranging from bustling cities to natural retreats continue attracting individuals seeking both freedom and discovery.

read more

How Important is Breakfast When on a Vacation

Most people have had that vacation morning where they rush out the door with only a cup of coffee, thinking they will eat later, only to find themselves hungry, tired, and slightly irritated before the first attraction of the day. It seems like a small decision at the time, but it can quietly shape how the entire day unfolds. The most enjoyable travel days often begin slowly, with a proper meal and a chance to

read more
You've loaded all available articles in this category

The Hidden Costs of Luxury Household Management Without Professional Staff in Miami

Miami luxury homeowners often assume that skipping professional staff saves money. No payroll, no agency fees, fewer commitments. But running a multi million dollar home without trained support costs far more than most owners ever calculate. The families who feel this most are high net worth individuals who manage everything themselves or piece together scattered vendors without central coordination. Many eventually connect with a Miami domestic staffing agency once the pressure of managing a large

read more

The Marriage Stress Test: Signs Your Relationship Can Handle Adversity

Modern relationship is a relationship in an era of unprecedented choice. Life has changed the way people think about dating long-term relationships due to social media, dating sites, lifestyle comparisons and constant exposure to other options. So often, when we feel that our relationship is in a state of flux, we may see this as a sign that, fundamentally, there are issues that need to be addressed. Indicator 1: The Financial Shock Response A household

read more

The Essential Checklist for First-Time Solo Travelers

Have you ever stood in front of a packed suitcase and wondered whether anything important was forgotten? That moment captures the excitement and uncertainty that often accompany solo travel. More people are choosing independent journeys today than ever before. Flexible work arrangements, changing lifestyle priorities, and a growing desire for personal experiences have encouraged travelers to venture out alone. Destinations ranging from bustling cities to natural retreats continue attracting individuals seeking both freedom and discovery.

read more

How Important is Breakfast When on a Vacation

Most people have had that vacation morning where they rush out the door with only a cup of coffee, thinking they will eat later, only to find themselves hungry, tired, and slightly irritated before the first attraction of the day. It seems like a small decision at the time, but it can quietly shape how the entire day unfolds. The most enjoyable travel days often begin slowly, with a proper meal and a chance to

read more
You've loaded all available articles in this category