A Christmas Poem

Snow at Christmas
by Glenda C. Beall

Silent December snow covers
grey mountain forests, clings
to thin bare branches of oaks,
poplar and ash.

It mounds on brown wide leaves
still hanging on to stubborn trees
that, until now, denied winter’s presence.
Holly bushes crowned with snow

create photo ops for Christmas cards.
Rooftops iced in white, frosted
gingerbread houses, await
Santa's footsteps.

Red ribbons on our mailbox
collect crystal flakes
within curving bows,
on bunched pine boughs.

Kayla hangs her stocking, dreams
of Barbie dolls, gift wrapped boxes
piled high beneath her brilliant
Christmas tree.

We light a candle in the snow.
Pray for children around the world,
who long for peace, a cup of soup,
an end to fear -- an end to
war.

http://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-christmas-poem.html

My Christmas Poem

This morning I awoke to find our mountain blanketed with snow. The first snow right here I think, but we will have more. It reminded me of the Christmas poem I revisit each year. I wrote this poem years ago, but sadly the ending never changes. Children still live in fear - still live with war.


Snow at Christmas
by Glenda C. Beall

Silent December snow covers
grey mountain forests, clings
to thin bare branches of oaks,
poplar and ash.

It mounds on brown wide leaves
still hanging on to stubborn trees
that, until now, denied winter’s presence.
Holly bushes crowned with snow

create photo ops for Christmas cards.
Rooftops iced in white, frosted
gingerbread houses, await
Santa's footsteps.

Red ribbons on our mailbox
collect crystal flakes
within curving bows,
on bunched pine boughs.

Kayla hangs her stocking, dreams
of Barbie dolls, gift wrapped boxes
piled high beneath her brilliant
Christmas tree.

We light a candle in the snow.
Pray for children around the world,
who long for peace, a cup of soup,
an end to fear -- an end to
war.

Congratulations, Janet Sloane Benway

 Janet Sloane Benway, a member of Netwest, won a bronze medal (third prize) for her poem, "Little Boy Blues,"in the Silver Arts contest of the Senior Games of Transylvania County. This medal is special to Janet who, after a long illness, is now well and living
at College Walk, a retirement Community in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Congratulations, Janet.



Little Boy Blues
By Janet Sloane Benway

Mommy moved to Maryland last May.
Daddy says she doesn’t love us anymore.
But, gee, when I visited Mom this summer,
she took me and my sisters to a park
and a place where they have dinosaur bones
and airplanes, and I thought it was awesome.

Daddy says we’re moving to Savannah.
He bought a house there.
He travels a lot.
He’s a Marine.
He lets me try on his jacket—with medals.
He’s been to Iraq twice.
I’m going to be a Marine when I grow up.
I’m six and a half.

Daddy says a nice lady from South America
will come to Savannah to take care of us.

Mom just bought a BMW.
I can’t wait to ride in it.
Maybe Mom will have us come at Christmas.
But Mom says she’s pretty busy
with her new job right now.

Gee, I wish Dad would come home.
He’s in India.
I’m going there someday—
maybe when I’m seven.