Poetry Pleases: The Christmas Gift
A poem from Joyce Worsfold for this special day.
What would I like for Christmas?
Well! a sweater would be rather nice
There’s some nice ones in Marks
and well worth the price
Or a nice warm scarf or a pair of gloves
or records or a real good book, or.........
Sorry, what did you say?
You’d thought about a saviour
You’re giving one away!
Well, I don’t know
do I really need one
will it fit into my life?
I haven’t got a lot of space
or a lot of time
Still if it’s wrapped up nice
it’ll be a welcome surprise
After all, it’s the thought that counts
not the prize.
What? there’ll be no wrapping paper
it will be in the raw
cold in the stable
wind blowing through the door,
Oh, well, if you say so
But even the smallest things are more acceptable
if prettily wrapped
and you said it would be a tiny thing
and shiny paper, bright ribbons
would make it fit for a king..........
What do you mean, tiny at first?
You mean it will grow!
Listen, I don’t want anything that will disrupt
or make a noise
I don’t want anything that will interfere with my freedom of choice
My life is organised and tidy
there’s a joint on Sunday and bingo on Friday
Will this Saviour fit in with all that?
Christmas is a time of enjoyment
not for being knocked flat
No violence or prejudice, everything in it’s place
Colour? Well it would be white of course
with a gently smiling face.
Anyway, what’s it’s purpose?
Will it be of use?
Will it give happiness, ward off abuse?
Will it be a lucky charm?
Will it shelter me from harm?
What? it might bring me trouble
suffering and pain
It might make me look at everything again.
Look, leave me the presents and the tree
The mince-pies and the cake.
Leave me the carols and the children wide awake
Leave me the trappings and the frills,
I’ll have to think about the other,
the love that spills
the centre of all things within the candy coat
The essence of all meaning
the beginning of love and hope
I’ll have to ask myself............
am I ready for a saviour?
.
