I watched, gazed
I watched, gazed and gawked
As people hassled by in swift
Carrying goods of small and enormous sizes
Unusual heavy traffic congestion in freeways
What’s happening? Are we fleeing or?
I asked with so much amazing horror
“It’s December-meaning Christmas”
One said without any pause
Jingles, heavy shopping, carols, ebullient rejoicing
Lots of delicious tasty meals and much waste
New expensive clothes, toys, shoes, hair
All of which were bought or prepared
Carefully, professionally on money so little
And the rest falling as manners from borrowing
Occupying precious family moments with
Frail embellishment-little or no profit
The sunset of December will be gone and forgotten
Ending the parties, carols and buying
Followed by the down of fresh January
Laden with huge debts tears to pay
Hearts ached for loving and giving not done
When the pay cheque comes and collected
Spent swiftly on unpaid buying
Leaving little or none for family needs
January becomes as long as river Nile
Some go through the January sorrowful-pains
In short or mid are struggling recovered
Some go through the January sorrowful pains
In short or mid are poverty enshrouded
Children cries, marriage suffers, hopes crashed
If these are the kit and caboodle of Christmas
Even Christ would certainly not celebrate
---Joseph T. Elisha---
