By Dennis Patton
A REMEMBERED CHRISTMAS
I remember the first Christmas I heard Autry sing about that deer, and I have locked in my head that memorable Christmas year. I’ve known other Christmas seasons, but not one of them more fine than the one I had in nineteenforty-nine.
I recall that year’s Christmas Eve when I was seven years old,
For I could not sleep and the floor was barefoot cold. As I peeked into the living room as quietly as could be, and saw Santa Claus standing by our tree.
I know I was not dreaming for I stubbed and hurt my toe just before I saw him there bathed in streetlight glow.
After all these years, it is real to me –
I know that I saw Santa by the Christmas tree.
Some say Christmas is just more capitalism that is manifested by commercialism.
But I will always think it honors a gift true that is given to us all, to me and to you.
So please mock not the season by pointing out its flaws,
And never try to tell me there is no Santa Claus.
— Howard Nobles
Deceased
SAVIOR
Holidays may come and go
But there’s nothing like the one on Christmas Day
Celebration of His birth
Shining star that lights the earth
His Father was well pleased to see the birth of His dear son
The story is told our Savior has come. — Kathy Easter Traskwood
BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS (1943)
Yesterday I saw a double rainbow arching over
the school house and I marveled at the way color
did not drain to each end. I instantly felt
drawn to our old front porch filled with family,
laughter, HIS children struck by a double rainbow.
First Christmas I remember was filled with laughter:
no tree, no gifts, no tinsel, just lots of people…
relatives with fun pranks, games, stories and love.
Our house fairly shook with good cheer. Each
person received an orange, a Brazil nut, two pecans
and a piece of hard-rock candy. Cousins were wild
with excitement. Older men stood around the fireplace
discussing the war, each proud of the strong young sons
they had sent to, “Kick Hitler’s butt!”
We rushed to the front porch to see a double rainbow
arching over the school house on the hill and watched
the color fade, drain away at both ends.
Silence was broken with gasps of wonder as people
smiled, touched each other and some remembered
HIS promise in living color of water and light.
Later two army officers brought a black-edged
telegram from the War Department to my Mom.
— Dewell H. Byrd
Deceased
EVENING STAR
Bright evening star we give our deepest thanks
for glow that lit the path to guide wise men
who followed you afar. And, for our sakes,
you pointed those many years ago when
God’s word came true. Your torch of love—a crown
above the town—gave light for those it led.
And those who saw the child of God sent down
found love revealed in what His word had said.
The curtains of the sky drew back as you
revealed for earth what it had lost somewhere
because of sin. You gave a gift that night
along with them in Bethlehem. They knew
because the holy writ had led them there;
and you—the evening star—their guiding light.
— Dennis Patton
Alexander
To submit poems for publication, please send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002, or patton_dr@hotmail.com. The Saline County Branch of PRA is scheduled to meet December 16, 1:00 pm, at the Parkview United Methodist Church, 514 North Border Street, Benton.
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2023-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z
2023-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z
https://bentoncourier.pressreader.com/article/281565180525492
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