Open Writing

Bad news like this is always hard to bear!
Hard at any time, but cruel at Christmas;
It slashes through our man-made calendar,
Scorning all our planned festivities,
Thrusting upon us this untimely heartache,
Seeming worse by contrast with rejoicing,
Crumpling the pleasing sentimental picture
Of Christmas spent in worldwide harmony,
With families gathered in their cosy homes,
Secure within the glow of heart's content.

The 1914 troops had truce at Christmas,
But onslaughts on the human mind and frame
Wage ceaseless war - and though angelic choirs
Goodwill from God and peace on earth proclaim,
We walking wounded limp through Yule-tide dazed,
And, draped in tinsel, shell-shocked, stand amazed;
'Cheer up!'they say. 'It's Christmas!'
On they go,
Embarrassed by our non-participation - just as though
They think that we can switch from gloom to joy,
And by sheer force of will annul the facts
Which choke our appetite for food or fun

Then shall we -just to please them - bravely smile
And go through all the motions of delight,
Munch our ritual turkey, mouth our pudding,
Grotesquely wear a mocking paper hat?
Yes! Why not?
And far from looking on,
Uncomprehending watchers from outside,
We'll enter deeply into Christmas truth,
See the Mother bear her first-born Son
In that shabby man-forsaken stable,
See the family flee as refugees,
And Mary glimpse afar the looming Cross.