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Sunday, November 29, 2015

T’was the month before Christmas #RB4U #MFRWauthor #Christmas

This is really my favourite time of year. I love the cooler temperatures, and the magic of the first snow-and of course the beauty of the Christmas holiday, which seems to somehow bring out a softer side in most people. It would be wonderful if that kindness and unity could be an everyday thing, but I suppose that's too much wishing....

Anyway, many years ago a friend of mine wrote up his tribute the commercialization of the holiday, and it never fails to make me laugh when I read it, so I thought with Christmas only a month away, I'd share it with everyone for a chuckle. Also, if you have children or grandchildren, you might enjoy a story I wrote for my sister when she said I needed to write something about our beloved family dog, Holly. It's aimed at younger kids, but we're all kids at heart. There's a link at the end of the post... now... on to that commercialism and laughter! 


T’was the month before Christmas, and all through the store
Each department was dripping with Yuletide decor
The Muzak was blaring an out-of-tune carol
And fake snow was falling on “Ladies Apparel”
I’d flown many miles from the North Pole this day
To check on reports which had caused me dismay
I’d come to this store but for one special reason
To see for myself what went on at this season
I hid in a corner and in a short while
I saw the store President march down the aisle
He shouted an order to “Turn the store tree on!”
And also “NOEL” in blinding pink neon
Up high hanging grandly from twin gold supports
Four hundred pink angels flew over “Men’s Shorts”
And towering up over the rear Mezzanine
A 90-foot, day-glow “Nativity Scene”
The clock on the wall said a quarter to nine
The floorwalkers proudly stood in a line
I watched while the President smelled their carnations
Then called out his final command—“Man your stations!”
When out on the street there arose such a roar
It rang to the rafters and boomed through the store
It sounded exactly like street repair drilling
Or maybe another big mafia killing?
I looked to the door and there banging the glass
Was a clamouring, shrieking, hysterical mass
And I felt from the tone of each scream and each curse
That the “Spirit of Christmas” had changed for the worse
The clock it struck nine and the door opened wide
And that great human avalanche came thundering inside
More fearsome than Sherman attacking Atlanta
Came parents and kiddies with just one goal—“Santa”
In front stormed the Mothers all brandishing handbags
As heavy and deadly as twenty-pound sandbags
With gusto they swung them, the better to smash ears
Of innocent floorwalkers, buyers, and cashiers
Straight up to the Fifth Floor the mob penetrated
And soon reach the room where the store Santa waited
I followed them closely, the better to see
This bearded imposter who dared to play me
He stood six-foot-five and weighed all of one-thirty
He’d lost half his teeth, and his costume was dirty
His beard dangled down like a wad of cheap cotton
His breath needed “Scope” and his “Ho-Ho” was rotten
Egged on by their parents the kids had one aim
To get to this man who was using my name
They mobbed him and mauled him, the better to plead
For the presents they sought in their hour of greed
The President watched with a gleam in his eye
As he thought of the toys that the parents would buy
Of all Christmas come-ons this crowd would attest
That visit to “Santa” was clearly the best
It was all too much for my soul to condone
And I let out a most UN-professional moan
The crowd turned quickly, and I’ll say for their sake
That they knew in an instant I wasn’t a fake
“I’ve had it,” I told them, “with fast-buck promoting!
“With gimmicks and come-ons, and businessmen gloating!
“This garish display of commercialized greed,
“Is so very UN-Christmas it makes my heart bleed.”
With that I departed up an emergency stairwell
Deaf to each plea, and hysterical yell
On reaching the roof to my sleigh I went forth
Where my reindeer were waiting to take me back North
The crowd came behind me and begged me to stay
And before they could stop me, I was off in my sleigh
But I turned to exclaim as I flew from the mob
“Happy Christmas to all—I’m resigning my job!”




It was snowing again at the North Pole, making an already magical place even more beautiful.  Christmas Eve was less than a day away, and that day was one of the busiest of the year in the remote little hideaway all children dreamed about and longed to see.  The Holiday season had arrived, and all were happy and in the mood for a wonderful celebration.

Santa Claus was smiling merrily as he made his way to the stables to check on his team of reindeer.  At his heels was his wife’s favourite pet, an exceptionally pretty Siberian Husky they had named Holly almost a year earlier.  (Holly is short for Holiday, because that’s when she was born!)  The little dog romped cheerfully along at Santa’s side, chattering away in her own fashion.  The other canine members of the household had decided to stay in the kitchen, hoping to mooch a freshly baked cookie from Mrs. Claus, who was making delectable treats for all to enjoy...





8 comments:

Cara Marsi said...

Denyse, I love the poem. So funny and clever. I like your Holly story and will download to read the rest. It's charming.

Melissa Keir said...

What a fun poem. Christmas has become very commercialized and people see it happening each year earlier and earlier. I like that we spend time with our families again at Christmas. It's another time to celebrate what we are given (life, freedom, love) rather than what we bought.

All the best :)

Rose Anderson said...

That was adorable. Love the freebie too! Thanks. :)

Paris said...

The poem was wonderful and so spot on! I do most of my shopping online but when I did venture out to stores, I remember scenes like the ones depicted. I loved shopping for the kids when they were younger but now most of our energy goes to carving out time to spend together and that's probably the best present of all. Thanks for the lovely post and for sharing your wonderful story with us:)

Reviews By Crystal said...

LOL That poem is awesome great. It seems that is how a lot of Christmas shopping goes now days.

I'm downloading your cute story now. I agree we are all children at heart sometimes :)

Thank you for sharing both!

stanalei said...

Fun poem, Denyse! And thanks for the story!

jean hart stewart said...

That poem was a real Christmas present... so clever and fitting for all the advertising hullabaloo...Thanks.

Denysé Bridger said...

Thanks so much, everyone!! I had a busy day yesterday and wasn't back online after noon at all... but it was a fun day, too. I hope those of you who downloaded the Holly story enjoy it - and yes, I agree, the poem is always good for a giggle or two, and I'm happy to share it with everyone. Cheers, and hugs, Denyse

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