2020 Hindsight

We started the year 2020 with hope
with focus and vision no reason to mope.
But then Kobe left us. His daughter did too.
Then something more dreadful would come into view.

COVID they called it. A Grinch-like disease.
This heartless invader brought us to our knees.
Wash your hands. Wear your mask.
Keep your distance. Stay home.
And in lockdown we panicked, together alone.

Our nation divided by blue states and red
grew angry and violent as George Floyd lay dead.
Those protests and riots made headlines and news
as COVID deaths mounted and we looked for clues
for how this grave virus could finally be stopped
and how to find justice for those killed by cops.

It seemed like our nation had ground to a halt.
The culprit was COVID. That’s who was at fault
for shutting down restaurants, churches and schools
and emptying stadiums with endless rules.
Businesses languished while tent cities thrived.
The death toll kept rising. Just who would survive
the first wave and second? Would there be a third?
Immunity beckoned by vaccine and herd.

And now it is Christmas with vials en route.
but the Grinch known as COVID maintains his pursuit
of holiday bedlam and holiday grief.
Can Christmas be salvaged? Is there no relief?

This vandal’s relentless. The world’s robbed of joy.
These silent nights find me a heartbroken boy.
There’s coal in my stocking. My list’s been ignored.
Our halls still need decking. I’m lonesome and bored.

While socially distanced alone by the tree,
I’m dreaming of normal (not snow). May it be!
I’m cherishing family from whom I’m apart.
I’m replaying memories tucked deep in my heart.

And though I am grieving what won’t be this year,
I’m grateful this Christmas that I am still here.
I’m grateful for loved ones. I’m grateful for friends.
I’m grateful that soon COVID’s looting will end.

A prayer for peace in our divided nation

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through our land
the peace that was promised the kind that God planned
is missing in action. It’s shattered at best.
That peace lies in pieces. Our country’s a mess.

The homeless and hungry are begging for more
while addicts and crazies define a new war.
Though peace poles stand proudly, the words they convey
are hauntingly empty in the US of A.

There’s racial profiling and Hitler-like lies.
There’s mass shootings weekly and random drive-bys.
There’s terrorist plotting and demonized wills.
There’re bullies on playgrounds and Capitol Hill.

There’s sexual scandal and white collar crime
where bribing admissions finds folks doing time.
And Christians are blasted for what they believe
while atheists manage to get a reprieve.

To say “Merry Christmas” might likely offend
your colleagues at work or your secular friends.
So we are encouraged to guard what we say
and be most generic. “Have a nice holiday!”

With stars, lights and carols and trees all around,
you’d think it is Christmas but sadly I’ve found
Christ’s birth is divisive. Singing Silent Night
can put off somebody who’s looking to fight.

Joy to the World? Think again. Hold your tongue.
The prophet’s peace promised has hardly begun.
We’re a nation in darkness still longing for light.
A nation in conflict. Perpetual night.

A people divided. Impeachment and hate.
Much partisan rancor and endless debate.
Immigration, abortion and the death penalty,
same-sex unions and climate, end-of-life dignity.
The issues are endless. The fire won’t cease.
Taking aim is so easy. Do we truly want peace?

Ah, yes. We hate fighting. Fighting kills us inside.
What we truly desire is arms opened wide
to welcome the stranger. To love like we’ve been.
To offer acceptance from which friendship stems.

The names of Messiah that came with his birth
include what we long for… Shalom here on earth.
Your government, Yahweh, Your Kingdom prevail.
May You counsel with wonder. Mighty God, do it well.
Father, most everlasting cause our conflicts to cease.
Mingle mercy with justice. That’s our prayer, Prince of Peace.

Calm the storms that still threaten. Tame our tensions within
that trigger dissention ‘tween women and men.
And may warring religions that claim they are right
learn to listen and learn from rather than argue and fight.

Breathe Your Spirit upon us. Prince of Peace, Lord of Love,
warm our hearts with Your presence. Make us most mindful of
Your Kingdom of kindness. Be our Ruler and King.
Majesty, we pay homage even now as we sing…

For You alone are worthy.
For You alone are worthy.
For You alone are worthy, Christ the Lord.

Reflections on grief at Christmastime

The longest night and shortest day
will steal your joy. They’ll find a way
to rob you of the long-sought peace
that Christmas promises.

The darkness that enshrouds your heart
defies the light that would impart
a glimpse of love that glows with hope
and so you shiver cold.

The twinkling light and carols fail
to free you from the prison cell
that holds you hostage in your grief.
There’s no joy in your world.

The memories of one who’s gone
help ease the hurt, but grief goes on.
And days go by as one big blur.
Your silent nights are long.

And so I pray for you, my friend,
that sorrow’s raw bone-chilling wind
would finally cease and that you’d find
the warmth of God-with-us.

A tribute to Carroll Spinney

This Christmas, Carroll fills our hearts
with countless memories
of fifty years on Sesame Street.
America agrees.

The man who gave Big Bird his voice
(and gave the Grouch his too)
has left us through the door of death.
His much-charmed life is through.

For Carroll Spinney, kids came first.
He loved to help them learn.
And as we mourn Jim Henson’s friend,
for simpler days we yearn.

When puppets called us to pretend
on streets within our mind
and we watched with our little ones
the keys to being kind.

Yes, Carroll earned his Oscar
and he earned his Big Bird, too.
The voice whose face we rarely saw
spoke love to me and you.

Peace to his memory!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/obituaries/caroll-spinney-dead.amp.html

Looking back and looking forward

The families have gone.
The gifts put away.
One last look at the cards friends have sent.
I love the day after
to pause and reflect.
And as carols still play, I’m content.

It’s a day to be quiet
and sit by the fire
while sifting through memories we’ve made.
I’m grateful for photographs
faded and torn
that capture the past on parade.

It’s a day to be grateful
that Christmas extends
through the choices we make through the year.
The gift of our presence
with family and friends
is a treasure to those we hold dear.