Gail Foster Poet Rhyme

What's It About For You, Then

What’s it about for them, then
Loneliness, poverty, pain
Bang of the bailiff at the door
Death in a ditch in the rain

What is it like for the Joneses
Bigger and better you think
Posh port and pigs in blankets
Sick in the kitchen sink

What’s it about for him, then
A clock, and an empty chair
Picture of her on the mantelpiece
Candle smoke curls in the air

What is it like for her, do you think
Hairdo and heels and hurrah
Hampers and champers from Harrods
Packed in to Daddy’s car

What’s it about for the Christians
The return of the sacred child
Under a star in a stable bare
Jesus, meek and mild

What is it like for the Druids, then
Stood in the circle at dawn
Frost on the moss on frozen stone
Lit by the sun reborn

What’s it about for the children
Mysterious, glittery, bright
Hope of a mythic benevolence
Come as a thief in the night

What is it like for us, then
Rushing and spending and stressing
Cursing the souls in the queue at the till
Or kissing a friend with a blessing

What will it be like for you, then
Whatever you will it to be
Riotous ostentation, or
Peace and sweet charity

What it’s about for me is this
One white and holy dove
The silence after the shops have shut
And love

© Gail Foster 3rd December 2016

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Jannie Breedt January 13, 2017 at 1:55 AM If this was a boxing match then the last lines would just knock me out. But where are all your question marks mmm???? Similarly Leonard Cohen asks the same question differently in " Who by fire" Another humdinger from your pen

Agnes Krampe December 10, 2016 at 12:34 PM Thank you for this wonderful thought provoking poem for the holiday season. Best wishes to you. Gail Foster December 10, 2016 at 1:22 PM And to you and yours, Agnes

Daniel Turner December 4, 2016 at 10:46 PM This is wonderful, Mrs Gail. I don't fav very many but I am this one. So full of meaning! Much love to you:) Gail Foster December 5, 2016 at 11:37 AM Thank you so very much, Daniel, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. I was asked to write a Christmas poem for our local radio station and this is how it came out. Such an intense time of year. All the best to you, I wish you well :)

Ahmed Sheik Koya December 4, 2016 at 9:43 PM great poem. Sad that not everyone will have a joyous Christmas. Some have lost jobs at this time. Many are broke. Many have money but no happiness. Then there are others who are being raped and killed by groups who think that by their acts they are pleasing God. I hope you have a joyous christmas. Gail Foster December 5, 2016 at 11:40 AM Thank you for your comment, Ahmed. There is so much suffering in the world. I hope that as wordsmiths we have some small influence for the good, even if it is just to make people think and question themselves and others. I wish you many blessings.