Seasonal Shadows
Holiday Reflections in Verse Challenge Entry
Holiday of hope, of happiness
cold colludes and conquers outside
while warmth is welcome, washes over us inside
recollections and reflections on the year that was
rejoicing and refreshing, the songs and speeches
the highs and the holes,
we made it... we made it another twelve
#
as we head from the dark, a path opens
thanksgiving and thoughtful
hearts heal, hate held back
for a while, for a welcome while
the fantasy, the reality, for some
for some
#
it's your day, enjoy it, you've earned it
life, after all, without events
without pomp and ceremony
would just be hard work, relentlessly hard
#
if only there was enough festive cheer
to go around
to heal the hearts of the beaten, the broken
the damned
the lonely sentinels of grief
the solitary lieutenants of pain
self-inflicted and undeserved
#
their battles unseen
unless you look closely
the man clutching his overcoat,
older than sin and worn out.
the woman shivering in the doorway—
any doorway
seeking shelter in newspapers and rags
refuge from the kindness of others
in such slow declining availability
#
celebration of community or consumerism,
holiday of hope or hoggish avarice
The Swine of Manor Farm, greasing their bellies
All animals equal, but some animals more equal than others
pig to man, man to pig, pig to man, impossible to say which is which
with more food than necessary
the excesses excused by their hard work and diligence
they're just the lower rung of life's ladder
Manor Farm's tale echoes modern feasts,
the same cyclical repeat of greed
#
why should we, anyone notice
society bears the blame, oh sure,
yet the government's an easy scapegoat
our leaders, wield power and influence
control commerce and economics
#
yet amid the glow, a quiet shadow rises...
as we gather, a shadow lingers,
forgotten faces in frost-covered mirrors
#
this
is
y/our
problem
#
so, carols and comfort
glass raising to the future
enjoy, enjoy, enjoy
think not beyond your doorstep
or those always left out
fire crackling in the hearth,
warmth spilling softly, heart-to-heart,
while beyond the door, a silence sharp
without meaning, without fellow feeling
are you dreaming or maybe self-deceiving
y/our fantasy tunes out their reality
…
the warmth of hope inside,
a candle of hopelessness outside
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: I injured my knee when taking the dogs out for nature's call at about 4 am a few days ago. So, I'm resting up, elevating it and keeping it in a support bandage. Fun times!
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Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (14)
Oh no - Get Better soon. Well done.
Very thought provoking and convicting. A reflection and also a call to action is a powerful combination. Well penned (Scalpeled), Paul!
It's such a strange time. Celebrate all that excess, while others have nothing. Drop a coin in the Salvation Army pail, and tell yourself you care. (Not you personally, but you know what I mean.)
Great poem-- like a splintered mirror full of different reflections. was this a "knee jerk" poem? haha-- get better soon.
Bummer about the knee! Hope it heals up quick! I loved this though. There was a kind of "Richard Cory" energy about it. Well written!
Wow wow wow! Love the nod to animal farm and I felt like this was a bleaker, grittier version of a Christmas Carol. I loved it. …. Also, sorry about your leg. Rest, elevation and whiskey. A heat pad might help too. Take care and I hope your leg us better soon.
Yo yo! This was my favourite part but there were very many swell lines…“if only there was enough festive cheer to go around to heal the hearts of the beaten, the broken the damned the lonely sentinels of grief the solitary lieutenants of pain self-inflicted and undeserved.” Also really enjoyed the reference to Animal Farm! 😄👍 Hope you rest up. Sorry to hear about your knee.
You have hit the nail on the head, the other side of Christmas
Oh no, I'm so sorry about your injury 🥺 I hope you feel better soon. Your poem tugged at my heartstrings. I loved it!
Damn that was grim. It seems like you said, “How can I go completely against the prompt?” LOL you rebel. I hope you take some pain meds, for your knee but also because you could use a buzz I think.
The solitary lieutenants of pain is an amazing line from a poem bursting with them. Your poem is as effective at making us see the unfortunate, downtrodden and desperate as a photo journal. Your empathy does you credit, Paul!
The repetition in this poem really solidified the contrasts throughout. Great job :) Also, hope your knee heals up soon and that the pain is manageable
I love how you explored the extremes here / the contrast within the season. There’s much here to reflect upon - well done Paul! The way you highlight the moral dissonance of celebrating while others are left suffering is strong … A powerful piece, as always!
What a great poem describing the sense of the holidays as well as the rich from the poor and the homeless.