Poetic Bloomings asked us how we are preparing for the “holiday season.” We celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas and would love to get in on some Kwanzaa action, so somebody invite us! Here’s my take, and it’s posted in full on the Poetic Bloomings site.
Also, the old form “3 = x + poem” I invented didn’t go over, in part because it was a stupid name! It is now called the Barlette, in honor of my dad, Bud Barlow, who could recite verse upon verse of Kipling and Service.
Preparations, Busy Lady (a Barlette)
So many items tempt me
at the small shops on State.
Thusfar, these are some:
(of the sum total)
Warm socks for homeless men
and women, so desperate are these
forgotten people in need.
(Mary and Joseph)
Diapers – disposable, as baby’s
parents are provided a garbage bin
by the City of Madison.
(swaddling baby Jesus)
Donations, dough for digs that
ministers are hunting out and heating;
shelters, daytime rest and a hot meal.
(Magi, bearing gifts)
A homeless man died on a bench in front of
the Capitol Dome (ironic unless you live here);
Gov. charges $75 for “advocacy groups” to enter.
(No room at his inn)
If ever there was a season for advocacy,
for caring for the poor and despairing,
if not now – when? One prayer to offer.
(Christmas is about giving “Jesus style”)
© Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Also at my poetic nest, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
ladynimue
Your words carry a heavy meaning and lesson .. I like them for the voice you give to your thoughts .. Wonderful style ..
Sharp Little Pencil
Nimue, thanks for reading this and commenting. The lesson? EIther embrace the spirit of the person whose birthday you’re supposed to be celebrating, or take down the damned tree! Christmas is not Ralphie getting a BB gun. It’s not about Rudolph. It WAS intentionally re-dated to “steal away” the attention given to the Solstice, it’s true… but still, you know? Love, Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
Well said! Christmas is for the giving! Say, Amy, ‘State’ here is State Street apparently. The array of goods for the offering seemed countless and varied. Digs for the homeless too! Advocacy groups often face difficulties just for doing what others refused to do.Pity sometimes!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes it is State Street. Unfortunately, other than cafes, the homeless will face challenges untold this winter – the sorry excuse for a governor has closed both the Capital Dome cafeteria and the downtown library – not for budget cuts. For RENOVATIONS. In mid-winter. Grinch!! Amy
Debbie
“Christmas is about giving Jesus style” . . .oh Amy. This one is going to be a classic for me. Thank you for sharing your gifts – poems – with us!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, I was hoping you would comment on this one! It came to me as my friends were talking about Black Friday sales, etc. All insanity! I give to charity in the name of family and friends, and that’s it. Local this year, because there are so many homeless in Madison. Blessings, Amy
georgefloreswrite
Nice, turning the holiday sentiments into action. Oh yeah!
For some reason, I thought the title said “Busty Lady.” 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha! If you knew me, you’d know why I’m laughing out loud at that last remark!!! Thanks, George, Amy
georgefloreswrite
hehe I’ve seen your willowy form and I’m very jealous of your metabolism, believe me!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thou crackest me up, George!!
vivinfrance
This one deserves to be blazoned on every billboard. Could you put it to music?
Sharp Little Pencil
Would that I could… maybe for next Advent/Hectic Season of gross overspending! Thanks, Amy
Altonian
That’s what I call a good shopping list; it is a pity about the reasons that cause some of the items to be necessary. Keep up the good work – we do our best at this end. HYVÄ PÄIVÄNSEISAUS! There, that got you! Check it out.
Sharp Little Pencil
And a good Solstice to you, too! (Thank God for Wikipedia.) Thanks for noting that it is truly a shame these conditions are not only still around after 2,000 of Jesus teaching us to protect the poor and the weak – in this case, often undiagnosed mental disorders, which could be addressed with proper treatment. Thanks so much, and I’m sure the Scandanavian spirit of good will is strong! Peace, Amy
Kim Nelson
Indeed it is, Amy. You’ve laid it out so clear and plain, how can we not get the message and meaning? Excellent social documentary, in verse.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, I appreciate your appreciation of values! And yes, social documentary is probably my favorite subject, next to my Mulligan Stew of Irish relatives! Thanks, and peace, Amy
Daydreamertoo
It seems everyone has forgotten what Christ mas is all about anymore in their never-ending lists of ‘I want’s. Want and need have become mixed up into greed. Nice points Amy. Lovely in fact.
Sharp Little Pencil
DD, Thanks so much for your agreement. Funny, the children’s play at our church last night had the CUTEST little angels singing about “I Trouble” (as opposed to Eye Trouble). As I always told Riley, when I was a single mom and struggling to make ends meet, “Wanting and getting are two different things.” Or, in the words of the great Steven Wright (fave comedian, deadpan delivery): “You can’t have everything. Where would you keep it?”
Peace, Amy
Lindy Lee
Thank you for this reminder…
Sharp Little Pencil
We all need it from time to time, especially with the media deluge! Peace, Amy
margo roby
I love this and immediately wanted to try the form. Maybe that is what I shall do over Christmas!
I am working on a cento and wanted to tell you, you are sitting on one of my shoulders reminding me that I may not play with the lines. Clearly you are a force to be reckoned with, as I am listening [something I don’t always do well].
Enjoy all your holidays.
margo
Sharp Little Pencil
Margo, if I am sitting on your shoulder, you are about to develop bursitis, ha ha.
I think I’m the last person who’s going to boss you around on forms, since in general, I am incapable of much past the occasional poem that actually has rhyme and some sense of rhythm. I also have to ask Viv every time, “Now, what is this form?” after I post, and she always lets me know!!
Sometimes I am a force to be reckoned with, sometimes, a farce! Hope you are well, glad to see you here. Peace to you, Margo, Amy
Sheilagh Lee
wow this is similar and I totally missed this post. I guess we were thinking along the same lines.I saw a homeless man downtown and it inspired me to write that story.It is sad how people treat others that are less fortunate. My mother always said there but the grace of God go I and I always remember and try to help as much as I can.
I write this poem months ago about homelessness as well http://poeticyearnings.blogspot.com/2011/07/not-handout-but-human-kindness.html
We seem to have the same beliefs and thoughts about this,God bless you and your family for all your kindness to others.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sheilagh, we are indeed sisters in spirit! My mom used to say the same thing – and she, being an alcoholic, well, you get the irony, right? There was always someone worse off than herself.
Thanks for the link – I love it when folks leave specific “breadcrumbs” for me to connect with more of their writing, and as I said, we are indeed on the same wavelength. May God bless you and yours as well.. and let’s all remember and help the homeless in the long winter to come. Peace, Amy