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

A One-Word Wonder

 

 

I was thinking about me

And if I could just write

One word to describe this poor old soul

And It suddenly came to light.

 

Yes, I am a one-word wonder

And if only you knew

You would quickly agree

And conclude that is true.

 

A one-word wonder

And I still wonder why

God chose this wretched one

To fit him for the sky.

 

When things become rough

As they so often do,

I would ask myself

Why me and not you?

But regarding this one word

Which spells something good,

I thank God without ceasing

And I know I should.

 

I do not deserve it

This one-word description

But because of God’s great love

I have eternal salvation.

 

A one-word description

Of one once sin-enslaved

But by God’s wonderful grace

I am now saved.

 

Now, as in present continuous,

Though now is not a verb

But read on further, grammarians,

And you won’t think it’s absurd.

 

 

This one-word description

To me is especially vital

Ever since an encounter with Jesus

That gave me the title.

 

I would not be surprised

If by now you haven’t guessed

What that one word is

But it wasn’t meant to be a test.

 

In a moment I will tell you

Please don’t go away,

There’s just one thing more

That I feel I must say.

 

The title of this poem

Though particularly appropriate

Is not the actual title;

That is a fact I must state.

 

If I had started with the title

It would have lessened the impact

As well as your anticipation

And that too is a fact.

 

So, the one-word wonder

That up to now has been hidden

Comes right at the end

And it is simply: “FORGIVEN”.

 

Stewart Russell © August 2020