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It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

12-03-2010 at 06:27:44 PM

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's Christmas Time everyone, and I got a little challenge for you!

BEGINNERS' CHALLENGE: Write a poem about Christmas.

INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE: Write about about Christmas, has to be a story.

EXPERTS' CHALLENGE: Same as INTERMEDIATE but has to be at least 6 stanzas, and has to be inspired by your own life.(don't need a real-life story, but it has to be INSPIRED by your life)

OPTIONAL: Some pictures to help, but you don't have to use 'em if you don't want.

12-03-2010 at 11:36:02 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

One Elusive Gift

I listen to this silent night.
I search inside my heart.
I feel a loneliness that grows
each moment we're apart.

Tonight the lights are twinkling
upon our Christmas tree.
Many gifts are piled beneath.
But, one gift I don't see.

Festive bulbs and tinsel
sparkle brilliantly.
A season full of wonder.
But, one gift I don't see.

Stockings by the fireplace,
filled to capacity.
Waiting for the children.
But, one gift I don't see.

Disappointment filled my soul,
as I searched hopelessly.
To find that one elusive gift.
This thought, then dawned on me.

The gift that I'd been seaching for
was not beneath our tree.
It wasn't tied with ribbons,
or wrapped in mystery.

It was a simple gift of love,
that you gave endlessly.
A love so pure and simple.
I almost didn't see.

That you gave, and in return
you waited patiently.
For that one elusive gift...
Endless love from me.

©TA Smith 12/95(All Rights Reserved)
bandit1192

Have a Merry Christmas!

Last edited by bandit1192 12-04-2010 at 07:10:51 AM

12-04-2010 at 04:34:04 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

So true, bandit, the best gift is the gift of love! And when you think about, that's what Christmas is all about. Brilliant poem, thank you so much for sharing!

12-06-2010 at 09:49:49 AM
  • Londo
  • Londo
  • Posts: 173

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

The Toy Train

‘twas the night before Christmas
And all through the den
Dad stayed up all night
With train track and gin

I was just five
Back in ‘59
Dad was an engineer
On the Grand Trunk Line

So he knew the ropes
All the rules of the road
He knew what it took
To pull a big load

Like his father before him
An engineer too
But grandpa passed away
When I was just two

Now on this Christmas Eve
Dad was busy as sin
Laying down track
And sipping on gin

A four by eight sheet of plywood
He spray painted green
Tacked down the tracks
Built a holiday scene

A railroad trestle
O’er the road
Up hill and down
The train pulled the load

Houses, a church
A granary too
The HO scale village
Really something to view

On Christmas morning
There were presents galore
When I finished unwrapping
My dad said, “One more.”

“Go take a peek
At the floor in the den.”
I looked at my mom
She gave me a grin.

I ran to the den
And turned on the light
I couldn’t believe
The wondrous sight

There were twinkling lights
And engines with whistles
‘twas ‘The Cold War’ era
So one flatcar had missiles

Small cars at the crossings
At each crossing, a gate
As the trains came by
The cars had to wait

“I’ll show you how it works.”
Dad said and put on his cap
He gave me one too
As I sat on his lap

‘twas a great Christmas morn’
And I didn’t complain
As I sat there all day
Watching dad play with the train
wink

12-08-2010 at 09:52:42 AM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Thanks londo for the very awesome christmas story. Made me smile. smile The best gifts are those that you love, lol!! Thanks for the poem!!!

12-08-2010 at 12:34:50 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas - CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperChick62

It's Christmas Time everyone, and I got a little challenge for you!

BEGINNERS' CHALLENGE: Write a poem about Christmas.

INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE: Write about about Christmas, has to be a story.

EXPERTS' CHALLENGE: Same as INTERMEDIATE but has to be at least 6 stanzas, and has to be inspired by your own life.(don't need a real-life story, but it has to be INSPIRED by your life)

OPTIONAL: Some pictures to help, but you don't have to use 'em if you don't want.


I accept your challenge, and do you one better, Here is my Country Story/Song. Inspired (loosely) by a few things that happed one Christmas a while back, and Charlie Daniels' - "Uneasy Rider".

Trouble in Christmas Town
(to the tune of Uneasy Rider)

I was pullin' a load in my big truck
Hopein' for a piece of good luck
But the weather was fightin' back a pile a snow.
Just as I crossed the county line
I saw the highway turn a bit white
And I knew that sky was about to dump it's load.

Well the clouds opened up and I got uptight
'Cause there wasn't a snow plow anywhere in sight
So I just pushed on down the road but not very far
I went as far as I could and when I stopped the truck
It was right in front of this bit'o luck
A warm lookin' joint called the "Pussy Cat Gentlemen's Bar"

Well I pulled on my jacket and pulled down my hat
I told the waitress I had enough of that
And could she bring me coffee and point me towards the telephone
Well there was one thing I was sure happy to see
There wasn't a soul in the place except for her and me
And she just flashed a smile and showed me where to call home

I called up my boss and in his own way
He told me that load was to be delivered today
He had nine trucks already out stuck in the snow
I said,"Now, it's TEN. I'm stuck where I'm at!"
And I didn't bother to tell him that
I sure as hell didn't want any other place to go

I ordered up supper feelin proud of myself
When this guy walked in who looked just like an elf
With a wierd hat, funny shoes, standing about three foot four
Well he looked at me and I damn near died
And I knew I shouldn't judge a man by his size
So I said “Hell son! Come in away from that door!”

Just when I thought I'd warmed up in my skin
three more short dudes come strollin' in
With this a gray hair old fella combed over his empty top.
I tried to get away from the door when the older one
Said, "Is that your truck in the snow out there, son?"
Your a long way from home, and this weather doesn't look like it'll ever stop.”

Now the last thing I wanted was to think about snow
with this pretty little lady with the smile that glowed
Especially when she was smiling and looking real friendly towards me
I said “You bet!” and then I let slip
that the bunk in back was fully equipped
and that waitress' eyes sparkled and she smiled as wide as could be

Now Comb Over decided to pull up a chair
and the others started playin cards way down there
And the old man said "The Govenor's gone called out the cops."
"The radio said it's an emergency!
He's shut down the roads and mercy me
he's canceled all flights and mandated traffic stops!"

Well that sounded bad but I was lookin' to see
If Little Miss Smiles might come bunk with me
But the old man kept on tellin' us what the radio said
He said "Would you believe this man has gone as far
As pullin apart familes driving in different cars
And we have jobs and kids that need to be fed."

He went on about his job as a clown
Travel all summer to visit small towns
But at Christmas time they'd really make a fuss!
He told us about the Orphans and it was sad
and when he got near the end I was really mad
I stood on my chair and hollered “They can't do that to us!"

About that time two Deputies
from the local Sheriff office came in out of the breeze
and asked “Miss Martha, is every thing here all right?
They both looked real close at me and gray hair
and I quietly stepped down off my chair
The last thing I wanted was a jail cell for the night.

"I'm fine Jim.” she said with a laugh
“I got a fresh pot of coffee started out in the back.
And I can get you boys somethin' to eat if ya fancy a bite."
“We came in after the red Cadallac
We spotted tucked in next to the truck out back,”
He said “It sorta stood out in the snow against the white.”

He said “The Sheriff's put out an A.P.B.
For 'Red Suit Gang' out from Tennessee
Robbing shopin' malls while doin' a song and dance.”
They all started starein' and I felt kinda sick
And I knew I better think of something pretty quick
So I just reached out and kicked old comb over right in the pants.

All of a sudden the whole damned croud
Was movin' and hollerin really loud
Climbin over ole gray and headed toward the door at a trot
And I guess I shoulda tried to help stop that run
But somehow I just couldn't resist the fun
Of watchin' four dwarves scramble for the parking lot

Well they were headed for their car and they sure were fast
but the fuzz spun around and headed 'em off at the pass
Before it was done there was a ton o' dust in the air
Well they had those Deputies tryin to catch'em'
Like the Keystone Cops would be better to Fetch'em
And all five were in the back 'fore the Sheriff got there

I didn't hit the road till nearly three days later
Miss Martha took good care of this Florida Gator
For a Christmas weekend where I was the star
Each Christmas my boss thinks I've lost my mind
I get my truck stuck at that county line
And spend it at the “Pussy Cat Gentlemen's Bar”

(c)2010

Written and performed (only once)
By
-Paul-

12-09-2010 at 10:57:08 AM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

IN THE WEE HOURS OF MY JOURNEY SANTA WAS MY EYES
FOR HE WAS THE ONE THAT THRILLS MY SOUL,FOR YES
IT IS CHRISTMAS AND ALL THINGS ARE IN AWE OF HIS GLORY.
NATURE TURN TO THE SKY AND THE MOON TURN TO THE CLOUDS,
AND SO WE GATHER TO SEEK OUT THE STARS THAT BE..

JESUS WAS BORN,WAY IN A STABLE DEEP IN THE MEADOWS
OF OLD TIME,MEN CAME TO GLORIFIED HIS NAME,WITH GIFTS
OF NEVER UN TOLD,IT IS JOY AND HAPPINESS FOR WE ARE
SHEEP,LIVING IN THE TIME OF HIS PASSION, THIS IS THE TIME
WE ALWAYS LOVE TO LIVE,GIVE AND LET PEACE REIGN,, grin

12-09-2010 at 08:16:13 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Thank you so much, lovefrommom, for that very entertaining story. I love Charlie Daniel's band, and that song's awesome. I can totally see that being sung to the same tune. Awesome, write!

Thanks, Sx9, for the poem... 'tis true, this is the time of year to love to live and to celebrate the joy of everything! Thanks for the write!

12-09-2010 at 08:21:12 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

The Time With Christmas in the Air

12-09-2010 at 08:55:43 PM

a baby somewhere


Joy to the world like silver dollar
snowflakes in sugar plum dreams
the big red guy Ho Ho-ing and that red nosed
deer On Donner! On Blitzen!

eight shopping days for backstocked fruitcakes
pine needles dropping so water the tree
the broken ornaments left from elementary school
and good things come in small packages

dashing through the traffic backups like
ribbon candy sweet canes and a chocolate Santa
so many plates of milk and cookies
credit card advances offered like feedlot grain silos

batteries not included but you're keeping the receipt
that tie was one you got last year even so
the wrapping paper glitters in the blinking light
of tinseled opportunities for high calorie festivities

checking the list twice removing friends forgotten
adding that new lady at the church pondering postcards
and lower postal rates while bells of black kettled
soldiers ring forever at rush hour entry ways

squinting at monochrome memories on TV specials
with organ music carolers sporting a repetitive color scheme
childhood flashbacks like a slide show in neon
and oh yeah something about a baby somewhere
a long time ago

Merry Christmas to All © Chuck Bealscool smile

12-10-2010 at 01:17:38 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Thank you so much for that brilliant write, BlueHeron. It really does capture how most people's minds deal with the concept of Christmas. I like the last line a lot. Good job!

12-10-2010 at 04:37:32 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

I've just posted my song/poem -- > Trouble in Christmas Town < -- Clicky Link

Please coment and rate it, as I've entered it in this week's poetry contest -- (a first for me)

-Paul-

Last edited by lovefrommom 12-10-2010 at 04:39:15 PM

12-10-2010 at 09:25:00 PM

RE: It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Check out Sk8erpoet's new Christmas poem:

The Bell <<
It's epic!

Last edited by SuperChick62 12-10-2010 at 10:00:02 PM

Poetry comes nearer to vital truth than history.

Plato (BC 427-BC 347) Greek philosopher.