shopping was under control
as I bought throughout the year
made cards and plants to gift
personal touch, not the thrift
buying a few generic generals
when a rock hit my chest hard
that sinking feeling of the grief
this season brings to too many
as a single I get the on call work
and know each year it feels harsher
too much debt from all the buying
too much indulgence shortens the fuse
add close contact with those whose
buttons each know how to push
such dire ingredients for disaster
ignites a passion for suicide or
worse, homicide … all first
responders dread this silly season
ache to return to the spiritual
meaning and forget this scary
fiscal pressure, the closeness
or absence of those we should
love strangled by societal norms
greed grew this unrealistic
‘merry’ season that inflames treason
how to we drag it back within reason
net pic
aroused 
Kate, your gifted verses remind us of the sometimes upside down look at this time of year. Somewhere in the midst of all this annual chaos, a wooden feed box transforms our presence to a divine place and time.
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I pray many remember that RIchard 🙂
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Yes…there is an urgency to remember what Christmas is all about. It is very sad when you think that Christmas is about love, and not buying things. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, and His light shines brightly within our hearts. Nothing else in the world compares to His light. The best gifts we can give are the gifts that come from our hearts…I like these lines by Helen Steiner Rice: “Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.”
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Good one Kate.. Happy season is coming up..
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many here get heavily into debt, that’s what the poem is about 🙂
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Ah, kate i feel this. The holiday season has become a commercial festival rather than spiritual…and it’s really heartbreaking…
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If Christmas had stayed a religious holiday, it would be so much simpler. But consumerism took over, and almost ruined it!
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I knew the time (years 40-50) when Christmas was only a religious and familial celebration. No gift at all even for children ( they got a gift at Nicholas ‘s Day ). Now all is consumerism, Alas
Thanks Kate to recall the urgent need of more reason and faith.
Love ❤
Michel
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I believe you have said what most of us think, Kate.
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It’s a good question, Kate. For me, Christmas often brings out the worst in people. I am always relieved when it is over!
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You have exposed the dark underbelly of excess, Kate. We should avoid working ourselves to exhaustion and spending ourselves into debt. Simple and heartfelt gifts and celebrations are best. Time spent together is priceless!
This year I collected small round boxes from brie cheese and decorated them with Christmas wrap to make keepsake boxes. I filled them with mementos collected over the years that I thought would be meaningful to each of my children…a daughter’s baby tooth, a keychain with an old childhood photo of grandma and grandaughter crafted by Grandma, an icon bought in a chapel from my son’s hometown in Russia, the signature “Chop” my son’s father had made in Beijing, earrings her father gave me… I don’t need so many possessions at this stage of life. I hope these gifts will be well-received.
Happy and meaningful holidays to you, Kate! ❤
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oh these gifts sound like real soul treasures and I’m sure your children will be totally delighted Cheryl .. and wise to disperse things while you can still enjoy their appreciation 🙂
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Profound and true words of Illusionary lives that so many are living in this world. Hope to be more spiritual and being who we really are. Nice poem, Kate.
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Wow…impactful…understandable…and I find myself in agreement.
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the clever use of antonyms here and double meanings are so so so so good and impactful, dear Kate.
especially in these lines:
ignites a passion for suicide or
worse, homicide … all first
responders dread this silly season
ache to return to the spiritual
meaning and forget this scary
fiscal pressure,
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Your poem is right on, SweetKate!
For eons, since our kiddos have been grown, we’ve kept very simple. The focus is on getting together, talking, laughing, playing games, taking walks, music, food, funny holiday movies, etc. 🙂 Plus we donate money to good charities every year. 🙂
And what we get for the grandkiddos we do way before Christmas.
(((HUGS))) ❤ 🙂
PS…Is it too early for me to starting listening to Holiday music?!?! HA! My family thinks it is! What's up with that?!? And by Feb they say, "You can stop now, Mom!" 😉 😛
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Thanks! Will do!!!
I like the classical type songs and the old rock Christmas songs bestest. 😀
This one of my faves: Somewhere In My Memory…
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Your poem hits all the right notes Kate. When commercialism controls our holidays, the spiritualism departs.
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I’ve lived a charmed life in that family is tight and we are all able to love each other. Of course frugality runs in our veins and we are past the point of spending oodles of $$. This year the biggest expenditure for Sparky new socks and a fancy new tea strainer! The boys have had their gifts since July and September so there will be scant under the tree – maybe some edible treats and some little items (under $10 for everything)… The best will be spending time with each other!! For Sparky and I the season revolves around Church celebrations (and the food – lots of food and so many desserts)!
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Perfect title!
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I would like that return to the spiritual journey instead of shopping and racking up debts. The materialistic side of this season gives me grief and dismay too.
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Searingly sinsere…the depth of despair goes deeper, and one realises that what is uncovering is not just seasonal blues, but something really affecting society.
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How to drag it back within reason … is indeed a difficult question to answer Kate…
Me and my siblings are older now, and only my sister’s daughter lives in Victoria … so basically our Christmas is about getting together as a family and having an enjoyable catch up … nothing pretentious, just, eat, drink, and be merry…
I hope your busy season travels smoothly for you Kate .. Cheers ..
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The focus on buying does bring out the worst in many people. People trampling each other to get bargains–totally insane. (K)
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ache to return to the spiritual
meaning – this is so true, too many hearts ache and yearn for the real and meaningful.
You write beautifully and touchingly in this poem, there is exhaustion in all the fabrication.
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Kate,
The dark side of the season, “when a rock hit my chest hard,” took my breath away even as I read. That so much misery is released during what should be a season of hope and love shared, must be terribly hard to take when you’re on the front lines. It becomes a “silly season,” full of commercial pressure. Is it too late to “drag it back within reason,” because the stores are full of sales?! A timely reminder to zip our wallets and maybe unzip our hearts.
pax,
dora
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I’m not a fan of Christmas, for this reason alone. It doesn’t seem the season of giving anymore it seems the season of greed. A very fitting poem Kate.
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