Gary Bateman Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Author’s Notes: “The Christmas Spirit” is a Free Verse write that my wife, Ingrid, and I recently collaborated on and completed on December 18, 2016. In our pre-write planning discussions, we both sought to get a really heartfelt feeling from whence the "Spirit of Christmas" comes with the human dimension in mind. And so, we both hope that what we've finalized here in this verse does indeed render a true honor to the "Spirit of Christmas." Merry Christmas to All! (Gary Bateman – December 18, 2016) (Free Verse)

Categories: beautiful, blessing, christmas, god, imagination, love, and symbolism.

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

All year long a lot of excitement,
surprising developments . . . 
up’s and down’s
fear, anxiety, conflicts, sadness
all over the world—
and given this . . . 
where now shall the
Christmas Spirit come from?

Remember also . . .
the year of your friends and family—
situations when you met your friends
with laughter and joy,
while living and always treasuring family values 
at home with true love, feelings, and caresses. 
                                                                                
That soft and caring embrace
in the morning . . . 
before going to school or work;
that kiss and hug in the evening
when you’re finally coming home.

And, this is where the “Spirit of Christmas”
comes from . . .
it comes from deep within your heart,
where it meets every heart around you,
where it touches the depth of your humanity,
and a soft whisper comes from there too . . .
“Merry Christmas!”
 
Gary Bateman and Ingrid Krukenberg-Bateman
A Collaborated Poem, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
December 18, 2016 (Free Verse)

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Kim Rodrigues February 27, 2017 at 12:01 PM Wonderful sentiments, Gary! Gary Bateman February 28, 2017 at 2:16 PM Thanks for your note here Kim!! Ingrid does write with me on occasion. I certainly invite you to read any of my poems as you may choose to do so. I will stay in touch with you too over time. Our best wishes to you!! Cheers, Gary Kim Rodrigues February 27, 2017 at 12:02 PM Kudos to Ingrid, as well!!

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen December 27, 2016 at 5:30 AM You two have done a beautiful job with the collaborated poem. May the Spirit of Christmas remain in your hearts all year long! Happy New Year, soon! Gary Bateman December 30, 2016 at 8:16 AM Hello Dane Ann, Thanks so much here for your gracious and wondrous comments here. Ingrid and I, likewise, wish you the same Spirit of Christmas throughout the entire year, and a very Happy New Year!! Best Always, Gary

Vera Duggan December 21, 2016 at 10:44 PM Hi Gary, what a wonderful job both you and Ingrid have done with this lovely verse, it is nice to know you both have a lot of talent, Peter and I have wanted to do this but I don't think I am good enough to collaborate with him, thank you for sharing regards to Ingrid and have a very Merry Christmas and take care.....Vera Gary Bateman December 22, 2016 at 7:10 AM Hello Vera!! Thanks so much for your very gracious comments here on "The Christmas Spirit." Over time, Ingrid has started to write more and more with me. She ends up eventually reading everything I write anyway, and also gives me many good ideas. Likewise, Ingrid and I wish you and Peter a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Best Always, Gary

Liam Mcdaid December 19, 2016 at 7:19 PM both your pens sang in a glorious tune truly golden beautifully crafted piece wishing you both a blessing of a week Gary Bateman December 20, 2016 at 5:34 AM Thanks Liam Mate -- as always, for your gloriously crafted words of praise!! Always very much appreciated my good friend!! You might want to take a look at the Christmas sonnet I posted right before this one. You might find it of interest as well. (I will give you a call in the near future.) Merry Christmas and Best Wishes to your Family from Ingrid and me!! Gary

David Meade December 19, 2016 at 2:27 PM Outstanding dear friend! The love and warmth we shares as friends is truly a treasure. May the Spirit of Christmas fill you always. Gary Bateman December 19, 2016 at 4:48 PM Hello David My Old Friend!! It's been a while since we last communicated via Poetry Soup. It's indeed a treasured moment for both Ingrid and me to hear from you. We both hope that all is well by you and your family this Christmas season. (I have another book underway that I hope to have published later in 2017 -- a book of prose. I'll let you know when it's finished.) We look forward to more of your wonderful poetry too!! Merry Christmas Wishes!! Gary and Ingrid

Paul Callus December 19, 2016 at 4:18 AM Yes, Christmas is a feast of love and happiness, and it is through simple words and acts that the spirit of this special occasion can work and do wonders. May the Christmas spirit be with you Gary & Ingrid now and throughout the whole year! Best regards // paul Gary Bateman December 19, 2016 at 4:42 PM Thanks Paul!! Our exact same wishes to you and your family for Christmas and throughout the new year. You sum up everything quite well with "simple words and acts" as active parts of the Christmas Spirit. May God Bless . . . Gary and Ingrid

Dorian Petersen Potter December 18, 2016 at 3:39 PM Hi G and Ingrid!:))A very beautiful, and most outstanding Christmas poem that you've both written here in the spirit of divine Christmas, my dear friends Gary and Ingrid.Just awesome!Very beautifully penned and this time in the Free Verse style.Amazing piece! Excellent collaboration!I enjoyed it1Golden pens!A 7 + + + to each !A fav too.Sending my love n' prayers to you and Ingrid, as always:))Take very good care of each other now n' always, G. Wishing you and dear Ingrid a Very Merry and safe Christmas just full of love, joy, happiness and peace, and a Very Prosperous and Very Happy New Year 2017!All the best to you both always G! Spill ink!:))Wishing you a very lovely week ahead!In His light God bless you always!:)D Gary Bateman December 18, 2016 at 5:10 PM Hello "D"!! Thanks for being the first one to comment on this poem from Ingrid and me. Ingrid was actually the one who conceived the whole concept behind this uplifting write. We tried to keep the message simple and from the heart!! Thanks for the "TR/FAV" and for your always very gracious comments. Likewise from us, be safe this holiday season and do have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!! Continue to "Spill Ink" and do all of the great writing you're doing into 2017!! God Bless you "D"!! Cheers and Best, "G" and Ingrid