Not Anxious

 

 

I’m not anxious for Christmas

As I usually am,

Let it take its time and come-

That is my plan.

 

Even as an adult

I would count down the days

But for some reason or the other,

This is no longer my way.

 

I absolutely love Christmas

Make no mistake,

But it is fast losing its impact

Here of late.

 

The merchants took over

And now it’s a buying spree,

People spend more than they have

And that is crazy.

 

You may be wondering

In what way they spend more

But they do hire purchase contracts

And these, in galore.

 

They owe on the sofa

And the flat screen television,

They change year old furniture

Without due consideration.

 

Everything’s about Christmas

And little about Christ

Except church Christmas morning

To hear, “You look nice.”

 

 

 

In outfits so splendid

To show off in Queen’s Park,

And to be displayed on Television

Really looking sharp.

 

Anxious about Christmas

Especially if rain is forecast,

Christmas morning in the Park

Is a chance to play mass.

 

It must be my age

Since I am seven decades now,

I am not anxious about Christmas-

No way, no how.

 

Not to mention the eating,

For I have seriously cut back,

Now my appetite is just that,

It’s certainly not slack.

 

If we eat a lot consistently

Our stomach will expand

But if a little, it will contract

On the other hand.

 

So, while I do like Christmas

I am not nearly anxious,

Certainly not like some I know

That like to make a fuss.

 

 

By the way, the lights are up

And the wife is very pleased,

I have done all that I intended

And I can take my ease.

 

I’d like a quiet Christmas

And to spend it at home

But alas, not so for this old man,

It will not be home-grown.

 

Invited out for lunch

To a home I will not mention

Having been sternly warned

Staying home is no option.

 

 

Once a man, twice a child,

Maybe I’m at the second stage

The second childhood I mean,

Maybe it is my age.

 

I’m not anxious for Christmas

At least, I am not so anymore,

I am much older now, you see,

I’m not anxious like before.

 

Stewart Russell © December 21, 2023

The Christmas Craze

 

Another year has virtually gone

We’re moving towards another Christmas morn,

Life is hard and things are brown

Still Christmas money spending around.

The merchants declaring bumper sales

People buying wholesale and retail,

Hire purchased items with money burned

This coming January will be returned.

People all through town, some in a daze

Yet another sign of the Christmas craze,

Hectic already in this first phase

Just like last phase with no time to laze.

Where is the money coming from?

Why can’t I get any?  I must be dumb!

Struggling to meet my monthly bill:

Of bills up to my neck, I’ve had my fill.

Furniture from last year put outside

Must keep up with the Joneses or woe betide,

New furniture suite for the living room

Hoping the flat screen TV get there soon.

First week in December all this going on

Just back in October the money all gone,

First week in December money just appeared

And now they are spending without a care.

No intention to use last year’s lights

Finding the blown bulb is like a real fight,

One particular year it took a day and a night,

Buying new strings instead just seems right.

No end of shoes bought from before

But just for Christmas a couple pairs more,

More than six suits hanging in the closet

But wondering why the new one isn’t finished yet.

He was given the cloth way back in June

But the tailor had said that was much too soon,

Now the first week in December almost complete

Maybe he’s planning to finish it Christmas week.

  

O how I wish I could make my own clothes

Rather than depend on professionals that sew,

I really wish I were a do-it-myself -handy man

Then nobody could disrupt my Christmas plan.

I marvel at all these people though

That have important people that they know

For I am convinced that it must be so

Since at Christmas nothing stops their show.

Things here brown and life real hard

Yet freshly painted houses and spruced up yards,

Everybody trying to outdo the next person

And the children also having loads of fun

Yes, the children get in on the action too

They are part of the craze with little things to do

Like “You and your friends better stay outside,

Mess up this house and I’ll tar your hide!”

Here’s a conversation overheard in October

These neighbours in the district having a look-over

“To tell the truth,” one openly exclaimed

“I don’t have the money to paint my house again.”

“You are so right.  I too have that problem.

Looks like I will have to start my own collection.

If I am to get enough to freshen up my home

I’d better leave you all and get on my phone.”

“I always wondered how you get it done

Especially knowing that you complain so often.

Neighbours, we now know that she is a trickster

This time around we know just how to fix her.”

On the road too you had better watch out

For pedestrians jaywalking as they move about,

And motorists driving like they own the road

Just like the ZR van drivers looking for a load.

A few Christmas seasons in the past

The shoppers and buyers waited until the very last

But this year already the merchants singing a tune,

The sales hike caption in the news suggests a boom.

A caution though, as I think this through

With this spending spree what will the Government do?

They too looking for money from any avenue

There’s the likelihood of more taxes for me and you.

Are Credit Unions providing these funds?

Are overseas relatives sending more healthy sums?

Where is the money really coming from?

And why up to now I’m still getting none?

Maybe it’s because I don’t get caught up in the craze

Be it first, second or even third phase,

Since I became a pensioner I haven’t had a raise

And like the sheep, the little I get on that I graze.

So for me a little to eat and a little to drink,

Lots of time during the rush to sit and think

And wonder how without jobs and without work

People still spend at Christmas like they hit pay dirt.

I wouldn’t lie though, for I must be honest,

Of all of the festive seasons Christmas is the best,

It is truly my favourite time of the year

And I do believe every man should have his share.

So the move is on and people are in a hurry,

In the streets and stores there’s a rush and a scurry,

This Christmas craze is far too much for me

But it helps to make Christmas the best festivity.

I pray as you rush to and fro this Christmas season,

You would come face to face with the Father’s reason

For sending His Son that very first Christmas day

And that you would invite Jesus into your heart to stay.

Stewart Russell © 2015