Tom Cunningham Poet Rhyme

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Christmas Poems New or Old Poetry Contest Sponsored By Constance La France. Written 6th November 2022.

Christmas Is Coming

It is now that time of year again when people start feeling festive
Kids write lists of pricey toys making parents feel apprehensive
Computer games and the latest phones, usually top their list
Enticing adverts on tea time television, make it harder to resist.

With rising costs many people, are struggling to make ends meet
Pricey toys parents would love to buy, but they still have to eat !
How do you explain to your kids about food banks and poverty?
In the background loan sharks lurk, rubbing their hands with glee.

Many succumb and take out loans getting heavily into debt
They purchase goods on the never- never until payments are met
All of this for just one day in the year, then months of misery
Then they try to keep the wolf from the door but fear insolvency.

So, try and explain to your kids that things may be different this year
And you don't have to be a millionaire to spread some joy and cheer
There are many ways to show your love and it won't cost you a dime
Be that shining light every day of the year and not just Christmas time. 

But spare a thought for the less fortunate who are a lot worse off than you
The homeless, those caught up in wars, sadly there's nothing you can do
And as you sit down this Christmas day with your children's faces aglow
You might not realise this fact right now but you are richer than you know.

Because your family mean everything to you, they bring you so much cheer
They are more precious than silver or gold also friends you hold most dear
But remember this you're not on your own and we're all in this together
Try and look on the bright side of life and remember things will get better.

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Andrea Dietrich January 3, 2024 at 9:42 AM Yes. We only need love and simple gifts from the heart. This is one I had to look really hard to find in your older poems Tom Cunningham January 3, 2024 at 10:14 AM Thank you very much Andrea, with rising costs I know Christmas is something they could do without as they don't want to let their kids down. Its become too commercialised for my liking. Hope your new year is off to a good start. Tom

Beryl Edmonds December 3, 2022 at 4:34 PM I sincerely hope things do get better, a marvellous poem Tom that says it all, Christmas brings us gifts of love, joy, hope and peace who could ask for anything more… Belle Tom Cunningham December 3, 2022 at 9:30 PM Thank you very much Belle, I'm counting my blessings. Especially when you think how so many others are suffering in the world right now. Family time with loved ones is worth more than expensive gifts. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos November 18, 2022 at 10:38 AM This is a lovely poem Tom, so homely, such loving descriptions towards ones family, such sensible advise, loved it. Blessings, Jennifer. Tom Cunningham November 18, 2022 at 11:05 AM Thank you very much Jennifer, I know for many it's an expensive time, but you don't have to put yourself in debt to enjoy time with your family. Tom

Kim Rodrigues November 15, 2022 at 6:23 AM My daughter and family keep things simple. Sometimes it can be a good thing not to have too much. Most kids don’t even know what they want…they have more than they need and not nearly enough of what they really need. God bless you, Tom! Tom Cunningham November 15, 2022 at 6:37 AM Thank you very much Kim, over the years we have cut back and tried to just enjoy family time together, you don't have to be too extravagant to enjoy it. Tom

Mike Gentile November 12, 2022 at 4:18 AM You penned these thoughts perfectly Tom! Your words ring so very true! I am trying to emphasize experiences to share together such as taking rides together and seeing all the Christmas lights and holiday movies! Happy Saturday!! Tom Cunningham November 12, 2022 at 7:59 AM Thank you very much Mike, and that's what it is all about, making happy memories with your family You don't have to spend a fortune either. Have a great weekend. Tom

Beryl Edmonds November 12, 2022 at 1:31 AM Wonderful Tom, it’s definitely going to be hard for folk to enjoy festive cheer this year. For sure traders are cashing in and it must be made clear that there’s no money to spare, but do they care? ~ Belle Tom Cunningham November 12, 2022 at 2:23 AM Thank you very much Belle, I think many will get heavily into debt not realising the storm that is coming but Christmas can be enjoyed without spending a fortune. Tom

Regina Mcintosh November 12, 2022 at 1:19 AM Absolutely... I have overspent so so so many times during Christmas, but that is so true... the things aren't important. It is Jesus, love and all that shines from above that matters. Love your poem, Tom. God bless you - Love, Gina Tom Cunningham November 12, 2022 at 2:22 AM Thank you very much Gina, shame for many that think its all about overeating and buying expensive gifts forgetting the true meaning of christmas that's not only for a few days but all year round. Tom

David Kavanagh November 11, 2022 at 12:12 PM I missed this post Tom, but like all good things I found it eventually, it really is a terrible predicament some parents find themselves in at christmas time, especially with the cost of tech gifts which all the children want, how come Santa gave joe an iPhone and he only gave me a jigsaw puzzle, and some bits and pieces, I totally get what your benevolent poem’s saying, life has ups and downs, even for the kids, philosophically written and excellent as always, cheers David Tom Cunningham November 11, 2022 at 1:02 PM Thank you David, Christmas has become too commercialised with non stop advertising, companies only interested in big profits, long gone are the days of an apple and an orange in your stocking. Tom

Bj Legros Kelley November 9, 2022 at 2:58 AM I have a lot of children in our family, grandbabies are such a blessing! One thing I have been doing as the bank account shrinks for the last few years is to make them gifts. We also try to host a family Christmas Presentation where the families can present a small play or song, and before the pandemic we did A Christmas Carol, oh my, that was fun! It didn't cost too much just for our family, and it left priceless memories. I better get on the ball and start creating, times getting short! Tom Cunningham November 9, 2022 at 7:29 AM Thank you very much BJ, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I know with rising prices many parents are going to struggle this year, that's a brilliant idea having a family show and apart from a few goodies will not cost the earth. You're right Christmas is nearly on us not forgetting Thanksgiving, sadly we don't have that here. Thank you too for faving it. Hope you're keeping well. Tom Bj Legros Kelley November 9, 2022 at 3:01 AM Also, this message is so beautiful Tom, it really did encourage me. Like most of the world there has been a dismal cloud overshadowing joy, but this is truly encouraging, and I wanted to add a heartfelt thank you. It is a fave to me.

Panagiota Romios November 7, 2022 at 9:51 PM People in the USA have a choice to stop living like beasts of burden under a President and Congres who are spending billions and Taxing us. The East Coast may have people freezing to death. America has plenty of petrol and coal. But Biden has made them evil! Iran owes us nothing. No need to have a Dickensonian Christmas at all. Families are running out of food and money to drive to work. Vote anti-inflation tomorrow. No reason to be poor in the USA! Calling Guy Fawkes! Rebellion ASAP. Pangie Tom Cunningham November 8, 2022 at 2:09 AM Lol, Guy Fawkes would sort out every government that isn't doing enough for their people. But you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy Christmas. Tom

Harry Horsman November 7, 2022 at 8:40 PM Oh the values have changed Tom, so commercial, it has all become, and the prices now verses sentiment of love ones. Love the positive side of your poetry, and with the flow, my wife and i will join the maddening crowd and try to do the best we can, for the kids, grandkids, and the great grandchildren. Tom Cunningham November 8, 2022 at 1:16 AM Thank you very much Harry, gone are the days when kids got an apple or an orange in their stocking, now they expect an apple phone lol. Tom

Charles Messina November 7, 2022 at 6:33 PM So, things are as equal in UK as they are in U.S. when it comes to Pricey toys and kids playing computer games and wanted the latest NEW phones. Ridiculous how costly some of these new things can be. I have 7 children, 6 grandchildren, 6 siblings and sh...t load of nieces and nephews. Indeed, I am cutting back (lol) Great write, Tom. Bj Legros Kelley November 9, 2022 at 3:07 AM Sorry to eaves drop Charles, wow, another big family, I know how you feel. I have eight kids, and thirteen grandkids have five siblings, and loads of nieces and nephews as well! We don't do expensive here, we can't anymore, never really could! We finally just let them have the catalogs and adds and tell them the budget, then they can do the math ;) Educational and eye opening for everyone! Merry Christmas from a grandma to a grandpa! Tom Cunningham November 8, 2022 at 1:15 AM Thank you very much Charlie, over the years we've cut back even sending one card with postage is nearly a £1.00, , a lot don't send them now and just give a donation to charity. Good luck with your cutting back lol. Tom

Kim Rodrigues November 7, 2022 at 4:30 AM Very well said, Tom! Tom Cunningham November 7, 2022 at 6:33 AM Thank you very much Kim, over the years we've really cut back, people forget what Christmas actually means. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis November 7, 2022 at 2:55 AM How delightful the message of the coming of Christmas, my dearest, Tom. So many things for us to think. Fortunately Christmas is here , I pray that we all receive the message of love and love one another. Blessings @ Tom Cunningham November 7, 2022 at 6:34 AM Thank you very much Demetrios, it's a joyful occasion celebrated with family and friends and most of all the birth of Jesus. Tom

Victor Buhagiar November 7, 2022 at 1:46 AM We are already in the Christmas period. A lively poem. Tom Cunningham November 7, 2022 at 2:21 AM Thank you Victor and the best of it is it does not cost a fortune, time with family and friends is one of the reasons what it's all about. Tom

Joanna Daniel November 7, 2022 at 12:07 AM A wonderful poem and really practical too, Tom:) Tom Cunningham November 7, 2022 at 12:40 AM Thank you very much Jo, sad that many forget what Christmas is really about. Tom

Deb M November 6, 2022 at 9:39 PM Wonderful wonderful wonderful Tom! There is so much pressure and debt for so many that a festive, happy time becomes stressful and worrisome! Its out of control….its a shame that people don't see and benefit from life's simple gifts! I have always been of the mindset if you can't pay for it you just don't get it and You just have to wait for it….but i think thats a different generation….perhaps old school? Great poem my lovely friend…..Debx Deb M November 6, 2022 at 11:22 PM Agreed M.Man xx Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:43 PM Thank you very much Deb, I'm with you all the way, when I got married all we had was the mortgage for the house, if we couldn't afford we done without or saved until we had enough to buy it outright. We may be old school but we're wise with it. Tom

Gershon Wolf November 6, 2022 at 3:55 PM A great reminder, Tom, that we live better than kings did 150 years ago. Surely we can share some of our largesse with others. M X mas! :) gw Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:40 PM Thank you very much Gershon, I agree, in the western world people have so much food and wealth whilst others are starving and homeless, something very wrong with our societies. Tom

Ilene Bauer November 6, 2022 at 11:18 AM Tom - your outlook on life is like a breath of fresh air, much needed in these times. A wise and wonderful piece of writing! Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:36 PM Thank you very much Ilene, and before people have had a chance to put their decorations away they'll be advertising summer holidays and Easter eggs. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen November 6, 2022 at 10:53 AM - I so agree with what you write, Tom - Christmas has become something completely different than it is meant to be - I don't want any presents ... I don't want a table full of food that I can't bear to eat ... I want a Christmas together with my husband ... a good book and my old slippers :) - hugs Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:34 PM Thank you very much Anne, big companies have hijacked it now and made it very commercialised, many haven't a clue what Christmas is really about. Your idea of Christmas is how it should be, with loved ones and just a few goodies. Tom

Rico Leffanta November 6, 2022 at 10:16 AM Well thought, said, and done, Tom! Although Christmas to me just means the day retailers slash prices to get rid of their inventory, one should never forget the millions of hungry, freezing, children governments have abandoned! Aloha! Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:31 PM That little fat man is unhinged for sure. Rico Leffanta November 6, 2022 at 9:07 PM Consider the "leadership" of Kim Jong-Un firing dozens of multi-million dollar missiles into the sea whilst his people starve! Aloha! Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:41 AM Thank you very much Rico, shame on governments who'd rather spend billions on arms that they'll never use than spend some of it on people who are starving and homeless. Tom

Sotto Poet November 6, 2022 at 10:04 AM Tom, I must confess that the depth and grace of your poems have left me speechless. Each of your excellent rhymes is full of eye-catching metaphors and outstanding diction from beginning to conclusion. Bravo. I agree with your thoughts, Tom: we really shouldn't need to be wealthy to bring joy and gladness. It's an amply deserving of POTD. Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:14 AM Thank you very much for your comments Lasaad, getting together with loved ones is important any time not just at Christmas dispite all the hype the big corporations throw at us who are only interested in increasing their profits. Christmas advertising has been non stop here for weeks now. Hope you've had a lovely weekend. Tom

Vijay Pandit November 6, 2022 at 9:27 AM People are indeed struggling. But the festive season will soon bring merriment to all. I concur with the sentiments you express, Tom: you don't have to be a millionaire to spread some joy and cheer. Well written in rhymes, as always. Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:10 AM Thank you very much Vijay, it will be a welcome distraction from all of the gloom right now. But getting together and spending time with loved ones is what it's all about. Glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Lisa Brown November 6, 2022 at 9:16 AM Love this! It's not about how many presents are around the tree, but who is around the dinner table!! Love Christmas and family time :-) Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 10:05 AM Thank you very much Lisa you're right, people are more important than gifts. Advertising aimed at kids shouldn't be shown until late at night, with rising prices people are going to struggle. Tom

Terry Flood November 6, 2022 at 8:00 AM Spot on, Tom. Christmas can be a massive burden if you let it or can’t avoid it. Enjoyed your take on the jolly season. Terry Tom Cunningham November 6, 2022 at 8:29 AM Thank you very much Terry, I like Christmas like anyone else but I won't let the advertising media tell me how I should spend it. Ive noticed how prices have increased of late, when I filled my car up I thought I had a hole in my tank lol. Tom

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