Poetry

God, Bless Us Everyone!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Tim Tebow’s after-touchdown prayer; Longing for a Long-ago Christmas

God, Bless Us Everyone!
Tim Tebow’s after-touchdown prayer

It’s Christmastime in Denver town
and Tebow’s brought the gifts.
He’s won six straight and wowed his fans
by giving them a lift.

But Tiny Tim’s been criticized
by Scrooges who defame
his prayerful after-touchdown pose
as pious or as lame.

They claim his faith is just a crutch
that proves the kid is weak.
But they can’t fully understand
the goal Tim daily seeks.

There’s more than end zones on his mind.
For him there’s so much more.
His bottom line is pleasing Christ
not just the final score.

And so Tim prays with gratitude
just like Bob Cratchit’s son.
He prays God will be glorified.
“God, bless us everyone!”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs898BJM6YY

Longing for a Long-ago Christmas
Remembering a much simpler and Christ-honoring season

A hometown scene, a horse-drawn sleigh
and memories of another day.
The sound of church bells on the hill
and skaters on the pond.

A Christmas tree lit on the square
and wreaths abounding everywhere.
The crunch of snow beneath your feet
and sounds of southbound geese.

The street lamps beam a brilliant light
as dusk gives way to winter’s night
and in the distance carolers
begin their serenade.

I long for such simplicity
when Jesus Christ’s nativity
was recognized as what alone
assures joy for our world.

How “Words With Friends” Became Words with Enemies

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Alec, do you know how to spell C-O-M-P-L-I-A-N-C-E?

Like Alec, I like “Words with Friends.”
It’s Scrabble on-the-run.
With letter-luck and strategy,
this game is loads of fun.

But “Words with Friends” on Alec’s plane
became a war of words.
When told to turn his i-Phone off,
he acted most absurd.

Ignoring pre-flight courtesies,
the actor became crude
which spelled big trouble for A.B.
resulting in a feud.*

His mouth played words I cannot print
(not minding Qs and Ps).
It seems that “Words with Friends” gave way
to “words with enemies.”

But life’s too short to pick a fight.
Can’t we just get along?
Let’s heed the peace and goodwill words
within our Christmas songs.

* http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/alec-baldwin-american-airlines-disagree-on-what-happened-during-words-with-friends-incident/2011/12/08/gIQAKqrEgO_story.html?tid=pm_pop

My Favorite Gifts at Christmastime

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

They’re not what you might think!

My favorite gifts at Christmastime
aren’t from expensive stores.
They’re cards and letters that arrive
each day at my front door.

These tiny gifts are works of art,
quite bright and colorful.
They warm my heart on dark, cold days
when skies are gray and dull.

Each card reminds me I am rich
with friends and family.
Each calls to mind our treasured ties
and priceless memories.

Some cards contain a photograph
of how the kids have grown
attesting to the speed of life
and how the years have flown.

Some tell me of a parent’s death
or of a grandchild’s birth,
while some describe a brand-new job
and renewed sense of worth.

Some cards announce an address change.
Some voice a prayer request
acknowledging what steals their joy
or ties them up with stress.

Some jot a note. Some type (a lot).
Some simply sign their name.
And while some cards are duplicates,
no two are quite the same.

Each one’s a chance to reconnect
with those I rarely see.
A one-way chat with one whose card
conveys they thought of me.

And I of them. I’ll write them back.
Though postage isn’t cheap,
the custom of exchanging cards
is one I plan to keep.

* Another reason to send actual cards at Christmas time (rather than just e-mailing family greetings) is to help our struggling United States Postal Service.

Lessons from the Thanksgiving Leftovers

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A recipe for ongoing gratitude

Thanksgiving dinner tops my list.
Leftovers are right under.
I love reheating what remains.
So is it any wonder

the Thursday meal goes on and on
as does my gratitude
for giving thanks is not a day?
It is an attitude

that sees containers as half-full
and notices what’s right,
that values colors found in truth
resisting black and white.

Thanksgiving is a year-long feast.
Each day is ours to seize.
Try counting blessings from God’s hand
as well as calories.

Remember, to Give Thanks

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Gratitude is based on memory

Memory loss and memory lapses
can wreak havoc with your plans
if the White House is the focus of your goal.
But forgetting is our nature.
Facts and figures slip away.
In the press of life much stress can take its toll.

And we’re prone to be ungrateful
when we cannot quite recall
all the things on our behalf the Lord has done.
We complain and start to worry
when our rewind function fails
and we can’t replay the victories we have won.

So perhaps what Mother told us
is the key to giving thanks.
But do you recall the words she’d often say?
“Now remember to say thank you
for the things that you’ve received.
Being grateful is a debt you have to pay.”

Gratitude is based on memory.*
So remember, to give thanks.
Mother’s wise advice we’d all do well to mind.
When reminded of our blessings,
we recall how blessed we are
and began to seek what God intends we find.

* Even St. Paul understood the correlation between memory and thanksgiving. In a letter delivered to his friends at Philippi, the apostle wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3 NIV)