In the humble, sad dwelling,
last year's Christmas decorations
still permanent, the same ornaments...
signs and clues of poverty...
It's the second week of December.
Christmas of course is my first thought
and the cards I should be writing instead of this.
Unwrapped gifts are over-running the closet
so I can't find my shoes.
I must get out my Santa collection,
my grandson has asked twice already
remembering some from last year that I don't.
He keeps re-arranging my display of angels
already set up down in the basement.
I found my new shining star hanging
in the middle of my Christmas tree
Last year, he moved my glass snowman and
put it with my "glass" nativity scene
because it looks better there.
Right in there with Mary, the baby
and the Wise Men - a snowman.
Did I miss Matthew's mention
of snow in the Christmas story?
I couldn't move it now if I wanted to.
November 25, 2022
Sponsor Constance La France
Contest Name Writing Challenge - Write A Christmas Poem
SENSE OF DECORATION
flattering in detail
defined
with such
dreamy effects
common
&undulating
in shape
so carefully
constructed
beyond foliage
a fingerlike canopy
shaped
whilst striving
for the
simplified
swirling &uncovered
in enamel segments
an
outline
utilised
by the enclosed
synergy
sought
& juxtaposed
stark
angular
a spiralling manifesto
deployed
with gentle folds
shaped
to
bestow a
fundamental
observation
winding its way
THIS IS AN OPEN(organic) FORM VERSE without grammatical symbols the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' & so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and respond thus making the form a two way interplay and often a unique interpretation by the enigma so derived
Lights on the roof, in every tree.
Candy canes line the walk, come see,
old garnishments, many a kind;
can't leave any blow-up behind.
January 2, 2021
Sponsor Tania Kitchin
Contest Name A Funny Christmas Themed 4 liner
Rescue me from boughs of folly
Tra la la la la, such misery
‘Tis the time to make most jolly
Tra la la la, la, it’s blizzardly.
Heavy coats and boots we’re wearin’
Tra la la la la, la … la, la, la!
Department Santas, they’s a-swearin’
Tra la la la la … la, la, la, la!
Why can’t I find all the presents
Tra la la la la, it’s such a drag,
Things on back order for us peasants
Tra la la la, la, a fretful lag.
Shopping’s such a painful process
Tra la la la la, la … la, la, la!
So far I’m having little success
Tra la la la la, la … la, la, la, la!
[Sing to the tune of “Deck the Halls”]
A parody written December 1, 2021.
Thanks to Terry Flood for the inspiration!
ice on tree branches
nature lights up the front yard
not just for Christmas
December 24, 2020
Forgive me sweet, Jesus, for
Spending so much time decorating
The Christmas tree and the streets
Of my town
But
Neglecting my soul to adorn with
The words of Thy message:
To care, To love, and to help those in
Need around!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
23 December 2020
* JUST TO WISH EVERYONE: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dressing up in dresses
Over the knee, modesty
Always a necessary priority
Driving to the cemetery
Flowers lying on the back seat
Awaiting their time to shine
Walking past the many graves
Some older than others
All of them with stones of granite
Reading the markers
That say just who lies there
Beneath the red clay
There aren’t many tears
These people dead and gone
Only memories lingering
Will they see us here?
Lying flowers on top of graves
Paying our respects
We think of them in heaven
Awaiting our arrival
What a joyous day that will be
Decoration day in the mountains
Is a precious moment of hope
For a future in that heavenly home
Harry had a dog, Old Red
his hobby, treeing squirrels.
One day Harry’s garden was, assaulted
by squirrels with tails a’twirl.
Now Old Red didn’t tolerate
any squirrels stealing nuts;
He decided he would set straight
that squirrel’s, thieving butt.
Old red took a jump and chased
that thief with Harry’s food;
he had decided to erase
Mr. Squirrel’s stealing mood.
But, squirrels are tough rascals
Old red let out a yelp;
Harry had to cackle,
at the sight of giant nose whelp.
Old Red’s pride was hurt,
of that there is no doubt.
Squirrel eventually became dessert;
Red wears a smiling snout.
The water-pool was
thickly covered with
roses;
a decoration for the
marriage.
The fishes in the pool
died after some time
due to suffocation.
Some days later the
roses rotted.
Long live the
newly-weds!
Forgive me sweet, Jesus, for
Spending so much time decorating
The Christmas tree and the streets
Of my town
But
Neglecting my soul to adorn with
The words of Thy message: To care,
To love and to help those in need,
This Christmas!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
12 DECEMBER 2014
We called it Decoration Day
When I was just a kid
And up ‘til now, I never knew
Exactly why we did.
I always thought that it referred
To stripes that soldiers earned
Or stars and bars for officers,
But that’s not what I learned.
I googled it to double-check
And found out I was wrong.
The “decorations” were for graves
And have been all along.
For each serviceman who fought
And lost his life in sacrifice,
Just a marker on his resting place
Would simply not suffice.
So as tribute and remembrance,
With a flag or a bouquet,
We should beautify a soldier’s grave
On Decoration Day.
No matter what you call it,
When our flag is flown half-mast,
Take a moment for reflection
On our soldiers who have passed.
The beautiful wreath hangs upon the door,
Upon the door to greet all.
All who see it will have to smile,
Smile as they recall.
Recall how festive the season will be,
Will be for one and all.
All it took was a wreath on a door,
A wreath on a door in the hall.
Gifted decoration
Bestow innocence,
And sincerity-
unto me.
Explode my heart,
once more and again.
Saturate me;
With ache-
and farce.
Give charm,
on everyone
And also glee;
Reward innocence-
and sincerity
unto me.
It started with conversation
By out of work frustration
Heading the way of desperation
As they filled in their application
Many would lack education
Would it lead to their great expectation
By training induced concentration
Next day they reach preparation
We needed no invitation
To war went this modern invasion
Many came back in transformation
Whilst thousands reached termination
And all this for administration
Who say thank you with a decoration
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