The view from my chair - Dickensian edition
- Details
- Published on Saturday, December 20, 2014
Submitted by Alan Gillies
G.E.M. Media
鈥楾was the week before Christmas, and all through my shop,
Toys and guitars sat in the light of a Coke machine full of pop,
Whilst I sat at my keyboards, both computer and piano,
Knowing I wouldn鈥檛 sleep until sometime tomorrow;
That鈥檚 hardly unlike me, ask those who know well,
As I鈥檓 always this way as the season nears Noel.
It鈥檚 way past late at night, and I鈥檝e places to be,
Inspired in ways that may only make sense to me.
But yet here I compose, songs and poems and verse,
And the occasional column, with the occasional typo to curse.
I s鈥檖ose I could write 鈥榖out the good old hockey game,
The home team lost, again, and that鈥檚 always a shame.
It was one disappointment, that to some may not even matter,
An obstacle faced despite any chance it might shatter.
That both is and isn鈥檛 what has me writing tonight,
As I鈥檝e always believed in fighting the unwinnable fight.
Perhaps 鈥榯is the Season, a time of miracles and love,
A time when a light shines from yonder above.
Perhaps those are just romantic Capra-esque beliefs of a fool,
Mixed with the inferred magic of the timing of Yule.
But maybe, just maybe, there鈥檚 some magic left behind,
In this world that so often seems uncaring and unkind.
For I heard 鈥榤idst the laughter of children just last night,
Some words that brought my sore tired heart much delight.
鈥淭oys, for every kid!鈥�, I heard a young lass decree;
鈥淭hat鈥檚 right!鈥� I heard myself say, with George Bailey-styled glee.
For an entire town had brought gifts for children they might not even know,
Not for glory, or a story, not for deductions, nor for show.
This wasn鈥檛 Bedford Falls, or Whoville, or Victorian London,
But a giving of happiness to many a local toyless young 鈥檜n.
I鈥檝e heard that our hearts grow three sizes at this time of year,
When we share with those in need, as well as those we hold dear.
For each child needs a toy, each family needs their roast beast,
As sure as that star shines off in the East.
And like kings of old and Don Quixote, that star,
I must follow myself, no matter how hopeless or far.
I鈥檝e only now realized just how truly bless鈥檇,
I am for the friends and family who鈥檝e shared in my quest.
For we each must believe in our own Christmas wish,
And mine for each of us this year is quite simply this:
That those whom you love truly, share the joy that you feel.
Merry Christmas to all, may all your dreams become real.
