Community > Posts By > UsernameOneFiveOne
Topic:
A Christmas Chronicle
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Thank you, and thank you
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Topic:
A Christmas Chronicle
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It was late in the season for a cross country move But with his father’s new job no one could disapprove As he climbed up on the back of the shiny new couch His mom’s warning heard not to be a grouch He didn’t have that much of a life to recall He was still kind of young and not very tall But he remembered the only home he’d ever known On the beach where the yard was sand instead of grass grown He’d flown here last night on a red eye and slept His eyes closed and his head in his mothers lap kept He awoke in a bedroom, wrapped in his favorite blanket And his dresser and toys sat there on a new carpet He leaped from his bed and he chased his mother’s voice She was humming along as a chorus rejoiced She was emptying boxes, getting their new home straight And Christmas decorations flew from each unopened crate He threw his arms around her in a big eyes closed hug And she handed him some hot cocoa in a large mug “Why good morning, “she said. “How is my sleepyhead?” He saw yuletide decorations in greens and in red He could see that a place had been set at the table With a large empty bowl and juice from a bottle He rushed through his breakfast as though he were late And he dressed in his clothes like he was off for a date But once ready his confusion was there on his face As he remembered that he was now in a new place So he thought to at least take his first look around The little boys’ eyes grew wide; there was snow on the ground There was no one about as he looked up the street To the left nor the right, no ocean and no heat He ran to the kitchen and peered through that window frame But it was to no avail, the view looked the same He walked past the pantry to the living room A fire was burning but it didn’t melt his gloom But he did see a sight that brightened his face so young For above from the mantle all the stockings were hung As his mother did watch him and she saw his face frown And she walked up behind him and held him to her gown “I know this is all new to you,” her voice whispered Her hug felt as light as the song of a bird “But we’re all here together, as the same family” And he hugged her back just as tight as could be He felt himself yawn as they both sat by the fire She smiled and said”I think my little boy’s tired” Smiling she picked him up and danced round the floor And she danced up the stairs and she danced through his door She laid him down on his bed with his head on the pillow “All that travelling last night, you must be a tired fellow” And with a kiss on his cheek and she pulled up his quilt She knew he was scared and felt a tinge of guilt But she knew that a nap would help him find his smile So she returned to unpacking to let him sleep awhile His eyes were half closed but opened wide with a fear What if Santa did not know that they had moved here He huddled in his covers with a tear in his eyes And he drifted to sleep with just a start of a cry He couldn’t remember if he had started to dream For things suddenly felt strange, not as they had seemed He opened his eyes and he was not in his bed He was lying on a seat moving in a large sled The windows were covered with ice and some snow He sat up abruptly and felt his ride slow What got me here? He wondered as the sled stopped to park “Your eyes did,” a deep voice was heard to remark And the little boy looked up, away from the dark At the base of a grand set of inlaid slate stairs Stood a man with a pipe and a head of gray hair He didn’t seem jolly but his blue eyes did smile Nor appear overweight or a beard his hairstyle The tall man strode off of his porch to the sleigh He knelt down as they could talk closer that way He was the host and was made for the role “My name is Nick,” he said, “welcome to the North Pole.” He took the boys hand in his and they both walked They climbed up the staircase and neither one talked At the top of the mountain of stairs was a gate The man pushed on some buttons upon the door plate With a large hiss the boy heard a deadbolt release And the large gates swung open until the motion did cease As the little boy looked what a sight found his eyes! There was a village before him and he stared in surprise The man watched his face with just a hint of a smile Next to wondering eyes, he lit his pipe meanwhile “There’s a lot that’s been done here,” he laughed merrily “Tasks from hardworking friends,” he said.” Not just by me.” And the little eyes searched hard trying to see an elf. The man smiled, “I wanted to meet you and show you myself.” The boy looked in his eyes but his voice was delayed But he found it and he whispered, “I’m afraid.” The voice that replied was deep and gentle “I know that,” the man said, ‘”I see your eyes are full” He looked deeply into the face of this lamb “If you believe in me, “he said. “You know who I am.” The young boy turned to look at his face And his blue eyes met blue eyes that he knew from someplace All of the snow and lamps like candy canes A light bulb came on in the little boys’ brain And suddenly his eyes lit up with awe With eyes and mouth wide he exclaimed “You’re Santa Clause!” The old man saw his shoulders shake and he could tell Although the boys unending smile hid it well The North Pole’s winds, at times, both harsh and bold The little boy’s thin t-shirt was far too cold He pulled a small gold whistle from inside his coat He put it to his lips and blew a silent note Before the two could take a step more on the track A pair of Elves appeared and placed a robe upon his back He pulled it tightly about him and he smiled with glee At the two tiny Elves who bowed and giggled merrily Hand in hand they all walked as the boy beheld The large house at the streets end where Santa dwelled The street a giant circle laid with cobblestone Centered by a fountain of ice which like crystal shone On the outer edge were houses built of brick and mortar They each had high rooftops although the doors were shorter The street lamps were on poles that looked like candy canes Speakers on the lamp poles played holiday refrains Wide eyed the boy looked to the left and right His wonderment showed in his eyes as pure delight He wondered,” How come the snow is gone from here? Outside the gate I saw that it was everywhere?” The Elves wore knowing smiles upon their face The old man said “There’s a lot of Christmas magic in this place!” “Now look there, “and pointed, “See who expects us there!” The boy saw a woman at the door with salt and pepper hair The Christmas Village manor was just a short walk more “That’s my wife Leila, Mrs. Clause that stands there in the door!” Her green eyes were upon him with a welcome gaze He stepped upon the front porch above the walkways “Welcome,” she smiled to him, “Welcome on this special day, dear.” She shook his hand and in a hug she drew him near “Let us get inside,”she said, “And out of the cold!” He was amazed to find that Mrs. Clause was not that old “Why your cheeks are pink!” She laughed,”But I can understand.” And she put a steaming mug of cocoa in to his hand He sipped and found the taste to be the best he’d tried If his tongue could be believed and it was a trusty guide He looked around amazed by all that he could see But what caught his eyes the most was the amazing tree It was taller than he was, maybe two or three times It was filled with colored candles and bells that chimed And atop it was an angel that looked like a doll Its arms held wide, it held a banner that said peace to all There were many decorations hung about the walls And oil paintings and ornaments, large colored balls A fire burned brightly in the fireplace He could feel it’s warmth about his body and upon his face He turned to see his hosts both smiling hand in hand “I can’t believe I’m here,” he breathed, “It was never planned!” The old man took a seat and set his smoking pipe in a tray “You called out to me, son,” he said. “I heard your tears today.” “Now sometimes I might have just found a way to dry your eyes,” He smiled, “But I thought I’d do it with a large surprise.” The boy looked at him and he asked “Why would that be?” “It’s simple, son, “he stated, “Because you believe in me.” The boy looked deeply at him with a furrowed brow “But, Santa,” he exclaimed,” I thought of this just now!” “How can you be so skinny and how come you are shaved?!” “You look so round and jolly in every Christmas card I’ve saved?” The man reared back his head and slapped his knees just so And his eyes were twinkling as he let out a mighty “Ho, Ho, Ho!” “Well,” he said, with a smile and a glance over at his wife “Let me show you,” he began, “a little bit about our life.” He rose up to his feet and led the boy across the room They continued down a hall where poinsettias were in bloom The boy’s excitement grew as the two approached a wall As the old man pressed a button and a door began to crawl It slid silently into the wall to reveal a hidden space “This is my elevator,” he said. “It’s the way to move about the place.” As the door slid closed before them and the floor began to drop The old man started speaking, “Now let me take it from the top.” “I have been around quite a long time,” he began “Giving joy and hope to others has always been my plan.” He went on, “It started a lifetime ago long before many were born.” “But even with these many changes the idea never has been worn” He paused as the elevator slowed until it stopped And they waited till the door was open and the cage had dropped Another hallway now before them with a large doorway at the end “You are about to see,” he smiled, “what few have seen my friend.” “This is my workshop,” he said,” Full of gifts and ribbons and wrapping” “You wish for what’s in your heart,” he smiled,” this is where we make it happen.” With that he opened up the door and stepped off to one side From his first look the little boy’s mouth and eyes were wide They stood there at the edge of an enormous shop The entry from the hallway, a circle slide that never seemed to stop Every thing was run by Elves, kept busy by their tasks Doing much more than making toys and sipping cocoa from their casks A large group was doing the wrapping making wrap and ribbons fly Another group was testing toys, no broken ones got by Computers linked to department stores in every country you could find And Elves were searching EBay for those gifts so hard to find There were Elves with steaming mugs piled high on wide round trays A large set of double doors proclaimed it held the Christmas sleigh An oversized hallway held a sign big as a table It had an arrow pointing and the painted words The Stables There were lights of different colors flashing like a big arcade There was a mechanical band up near the roof that Christmas music played The little boy was overwhelmed, it was better than he’d thought And he climbed into the slide and he went down it like a shot Santa quickly followed, they tumbled together at the end They joined the Elfish laughter which Santa didn’t need to pretend They stood up from their clumsy landing as fast as they were able Still laughing at their silly antics they walked to Santa’s table The boy noticed the large suit of red in a clear dry cleaning bag He sat down on the ottoman while the Elves started playing tag “This place is filled with Christmas Magic, as wonderful as it seems” He smiled down at the boy and said, “Would you like to meet the team?” The boy though his head might fly off, so quickly did he nod He couldn’t wait to see the reindeer that carried Santa Claus abroad They walked around the teams of busy Elves who smiled and nodded as they passed They came upon the hallway, and continued down it rather fast The floor became a patio, of hardened flattened stone Single stables one by one, holding the only reindeer that have ever flown They walked out to the center of what looked to be a barn He said, “I’m going to call them out here, but you should be forewarned” “These reindeer are a loving lot, “Santa laughed, “They’ve never let me down yet.” He went on,” But I am sure they’ll lick your face so be ready to get wet!” He placed fingers to his lips and blew a whistle like a toy There was a stirring as the deer ran out and rushed to meet the boy He was laughing with delight as each one licked him on his face They let his small hands pet them and touch each crown they wore And he saw their antlers ringing from the bells that played a score They had collars too, with nametags made from shiny golden flake And he smiled to himself at the funny noises that they make One by one they turned away as if to a master’s call One by one they all returned inside their reindeer stall Santa said “Well, we’ll let them eat, it’s dinner time for them.” And the two walked back to the desk, Santa held his pipe by the stem “Before too long comes my biggest day,” Santa Claus said now. “On the night before it happens I will fatten up somehow I fall asleep to rest myself before my long journey through the air And when I wake to take the reigns I find my beard is there. During months we are off season, my wife and I will roam the lands And when folks see me as I am now, no one knows who I really am.” When he had finished speaking, he drained the last drop from his mug He sat upon the desk chair there atop the braided rug “Well my boy,” he told him, “What a busy day you’ve had!” The boy knew the visit was ending and it made his eyes look sad Santa smiled and he said “Why do you look with such dismay?” The boy met his eyes and said, “I have had such fun today.” Santa said,” I’m glad you came but you know I must prepare.” “But,” he said, “I wanted you to know that I knew where To find you since your family is now in a brand new home. The team will find your rooftop when on Christmas Eve we roam.” The little boy rushed forward and gave Santa such a hug Santa picked him up and the little boy gave such a shrug Once again the blue eyes met and understanding passed between Santa took the boys hand and said, “Now that you’ve seen, I will see that you get safely home and I want no more tears.” The little boy exclaimed “Santa, we must have been gone here for years! My mother will be worried that I’m not asleep in my bed. She might think I ran away or may be even dead!” Santa knelt before him and his eyes then left no doubt “Do you remember the Christmas magic, “he said, “That I told you about?” As his nod Santa continued, “Time is special here at the North Pole. There is always as much as you need, sometimes a minute seems not whole. When you awaken from your nap you’ll find not a moment has moved on, And it is doubtful that you mom will even know that you were gone!” The boy didn’t understand it all but didn’t think he must He knew that Santa told him only that which he could trust Together they walked to a door, one not noticed there before “This is a clever shortcut,” Santa said, “but there is more” He said,” Whenever doubt fills you, or you are feeling blue, I will know it when it happens and I will send some magic to you.” The boy turned the doorknob, and pulled open the door And, all of a sudden he saw the carpet on his rooms’ floor His head was on his pillow, his quilt was drawn up to his chin He was in a happy mood, but didn’t recall where he had been He slid himself out of his bed and soon walked out through the door He didn’t notice the piece of holly on his window that wasn’t there before He found his mother sitting at the kitchen counter sipping tea He sat upon the stool beside her as the little hand clicked to three “Look at all the snow,” she said, “no more afternoon tide.” He said, “Let’s go build a snowman, I’ll race you outside!” The End If you enjoyed this please share it! © Michael M |
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Topic:
Every Dance
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I was drifting in my thoughts
Your voice like music in me And thinking all about the moon outside At first I thought a dance up there If I could find the highest chair it might be The greatest dance two people ever tried But the moon is art up in the sky And though no fine painter am I I decided at my best I could do more Then I thought about the mountains And the valleys crossed my mind but neither place Seemed to be right for our dance floor I closed my eyes as if to sleep and Knew the questions there would keep My mind on for it is my best deckhand Sure enough it didnʼt ponder long and Told me softly that our toes Should dance together in the sand The more that I dwelled in this thought I understood my mind had caught the very Place where all the parts were there The band quite good and playing soft The colored lights strung there aloft All scented by the gentle ocean air The sound of endless breakers And the curving of the dunes Framed us there together in this place I could imagine your arms gently wrapped Around my neck while I held tightly to you As we moved above the sand with grace And when the right slow song had started And our lips met and never parted In our universe alone there on that beach Tightly embraced were we upon That dance floor by the sea hoping that Time into the dawn would never reach Even though the music changed and Rhythms tried to rearrange We stayed lips together just so For we were in that special place Where time was ours to taste And every dance we danced was slow -Mike M |
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Topic:
Looking at You
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Looking at you
In the ocean water You look so at home As far as I've traveled I've never seen places as pretty As you when I roam From the glass bottomed boat Off of Ocho Rios To the sands of the Atlantic shore I confess I like what I'm seeing And if it's okay with you I'd really like to see more The light hits the water Out in San Francisco And it lingers awhile Sunset is more than a moment It's a time to hold hands And share an evening smile Looking at you In the ocean water You look so at home As far as I've traveled I've never seen places as pretty As you when I roam MM |
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Topic:
Four in the Morning
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Wide awake at four in the morning
I stepped into the living room to play some guitar The six strings they weren’t talking so I tuned ‘em No point in chasing up the roadie He was crashed in the backseat in some groupie’s arms Life on the road Life here at home Sometimes I can’t really tell the difference no more What city is this? It really doesn’t matter As long as people are screaming that we’re playing for A few years back there we were in high school Man was life sure a simpler time Wherever we played we got laid and We even got paid though it was always nickel and dime We drove around in a blue station wagon All the guitars and drums Barely fit in the back Now we roll in a big Silver Eagle And everything but the rims is painted Midnight Black Life on the road Life here at home Sometimes I can’t really tell the difference no more What city is this? It really doesn’t matter As long as people are screaming that we’re playing for Looking out the windows all there is is rain Covering the darkness as far as I can see I started thinking about when we lost a brother The day my very first drummers bike met a tree This is when the bottle opens I don’t even chose to waste the time with a glass Time to say goodbye once more to a friend Just keep tipping the bottle till it kicks my ass Life on the road Life here at home Sometimes I can’t really tell the difference no more What city is this? It really doesn’t matter As long as people are screaming that we’re playing for ©MDM |
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Topic:
The Sound
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Thanks! Think the book will sell?
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Topic:
The Sound
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I awoke to the sound Of the old church bell ringing Carried true across the harbor With every chime I listened and stared Sunlight dressing the sky And the gulls rode the wind And kept time My gaze wandered into my memory Passion until the stars in the sky Blew away in the night when God put out the light and Winked away for the day with a sigh This morning finds me lonesome under canvas Through the moments I let my thoughts sift I’d found my dream with a mermaid it seemed Then she left and set my heart adrift I found my feet and my grasp found the rail I yawned and made way for the bow I dived in the sea for an easy good morning Yet my head was still spinning somehow Scattered on deck was a near empty bottle Don Julio Silver, champagne of the sea Stores of salt in a bowl and some lemons close by What a fine time I’d had, I could see I pulled shorts on when I reached the stateroom No new tattoos greeted me in the mirror A bikini top hung from the shower Eyes wide open a new day was here Soon coffee was brewing, Blue Mountain Jamaican Even the smell an elixir of life Not a bad way to live for a writer and poet And a Martin guitar is my fife I climbed up the ladders Back to the bridge and I knew As I leaned the chair with a fresh lit cigar I wondered where my mermaid was off to I awoke to the sound Of the old church bell ringing Carried true across the harbor With every chime I listened and stared Sunlight dressing the sky And the gulls rode the wind And kept time ©MDM2008 |
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Topic:
The Gulf of California
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Topic:
The Gulf of California
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How I long
For the open sea The bright harbor markers Fall in line behind me The taste of the salt That rides on the air The nautical sounds Everywhere Water slapping off of the hull The rudder creaking As the wing starts to pull Off to starboard or off to port And I stand mobile On my water fort This boat leaves a trail Like a kites tail abaft As the wind gets me moving On my oversized raft I stand by the ships wheel Centered high on the bridge And I’ve got longnecks stowed Close by in a fridge I’ve got a guitar stowed In the starboard aft Across the cabin from the galley Charts where my journey is graphed It has been too long Since this world of the sun Filled my shaded eyes And my belly with rum My view sharp oer the horizon And whatever the cost Over a thousand swells To return what was lost The dolphins or seals that Were my crew and my mates Until I pass through Those old harbor gates when For my heart longs to see The setting sun over The Gulf of California Again The parade of the topless sailors Solo or with husband or wife Sails in every color Welcome me home to the sailors’ life Nights spent prancing around A coastal fire Or making fire embracing off in the dunes And sleeping away the sunrise Till the sun belongs to the afternoon A pacific coaster born and bred And I’ve trapped inland On the east coast instead I’m not too sure how it happened But it’s been paradise lost My soul cries out for a wave To be tossed over every now and then For my heart longs to see The setting sun over The Gulf of California Again ©MDMoeller2008 |
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Topic:
New Poem #67
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Thanks. That is the first poem in a long time
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Topic:
New Poem #67
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Once upon a time
It was in a movie I saw actors using Wind shaped smoke as stairs And although our lives are Sometimes tragic one Just can’t escape the magic That thing that kept us returning Once the plot upon the Stage was done Sometimes we are The understudy Sometimes the marquis light Spells out our name But take a look the Work that we put forth It proudly points us Towards the north Our winning hand dealt Puts us where we begun Is it new ideas from a fresh sunrise New ways to see the pictures From our meager art supplies Is there one more painting left As the old record skips Is there at least one more slow dance One more kiss upon these lips Do we raise our hands up To watch our children strain to see Is it new ideas from a fresh sunrise New eyes to make the picture there Set aside the smelly paste Computer graphics we now chase As we put the brush away our hands And then our lips visit and taste Once upon a time It was in a movie I saw actors using Wind shaped smoke as stairs ©MDMoeller2008 |
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Topic:
I Think I've Met You
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You are all as sweet as always -M
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Topic:
I Think I've Met You
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Thanks, you are sweet. More to follow, have been working on the novel - M
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Topic:
I Think I've Met You
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I think I’ve met you
In the night My eyelids squeezed Together Tight And we have danced so Cheek to cheek The lighting low Our voices meek The symphony beckons The drummers plead Where shall we go Our feet to lead This grand ballroom Where we play Wind instruments Will have their say My right hand up Yours perched atop Each step The music doesn’t stop The band leader Gently coughed My left hand lies On skin so soft Our journey spins Us ‘round the room Our feet the map So we assume Backless silk fabric Meets dark dyed wool The sculpture dances With the bull Our movements flow Our eyes champagne Hips move as Preordained The music takes Us naked on the floor And ices us With notes once more Like the meringue We move as light A wicked sunset The day out of height And with the night The tune ends somehow And with the orchestra We share a bow I await your whisper In my ear That the sun does rise And you’re still here Yet as the flowers Fall at our feet My hands grasp wind As you retreat Rose petals scattered About the floor Your perfumes scent I taste no more And as I sink Slow to my knees And sigh away Your nightly tease I think I’ve met you In the night My eyelids squeezed Together Tight ©MikeM |
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Topic:
The Simplest Things
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Sometimes it seems
The simplest things Become so hard to hang on to I’m just here thinking on paper Planning for my next caper But it doesn’t make it less true We just saw Christmas Another years worth And I was better in the spirit this year But it sure wasn’t perfect And I bet that’s true for other folks near I used to be married It was my own time of Camelot Back when my world was complete Two kids and a wife I thought that was my whole life Why did the Captain order us to retreat? Someone I talked to Back in the beginning Told me the answer was not Anything too complicated And it could be found Inside the life that I’ve got He said I’d built the perfect Game of my life It had the best of any yet made And if I considered I’d find out that I could come to my own aid The solution he said I might discover within I’d forgotten to give myself a way to win But there was no need To despair, for like children and fools All I had to do was learn to change the rules So if your tree was decorated With every star and light That you found to show And you wanted so bad To find the Christmas spirit Like the way the tree glowed We can keep searching together To find the only piece Of the puzzle that’s missing And who knows It just might be on the same star We find ourselves wishing ©MM |
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Topic:
LITTLE JOHNNY'S AT IT AGAIN
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Funny, I have one good Johnny joke I use in the construction trade
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Hey, we all have blond moments.
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Nice
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So there were these three blonds following a set of tracks through the wilderness on sunny summer day. While agreeing that they were tracks, none of them could agree on exactly what had made them.
"I tell you," the first blond said, "these are just giant deer tracks!" "Oh my God,' exclaimed the second blond,"these are d o g tracks, not deer tracks!" "You both are so totally wrong," chimed in the third blond, "these are bear tracks!" They were still arguing when the train hit them. |
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Topic:
A Christmas Chronicle
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It was late in the season for a cross country move But with his father’s new job no one could disapprove As he climbed up on the back of the shiny new couch His mom’s warning heard not to be a grouch He didn’t have that much of a life to recall He was still kind of young and not very tall But he remembered the only home he’d ever known On the beach where the yard was sand instead of grass grown He’d flown here last night on a red eye and slept His eyes closed and his head in his mothers lap kept He awoke in a bedroom, wrapped in his favorite blanket And his dresser and toys sat there on a new carpet He leaped from his bed and he chased his mother’s voice She was humming along as a chorus rejoiced She was emptying boxes, getting their new home straight And Christmas decorations flew from each unopened crate He threw his arms around her in a big eyes closed hug And she handed him some hot cocoa in a large mug “Why good morning, “she said. “How is my sleepyhead?” He saw yuletide decorations in greens and in red He could see that a place had been set at the table With a large empty bowl and juice from a bottle He rushed through his breakfast as though he were late And he dressed in his clothes like he was off for a date But once ready his confusion was there on his face As he remembered that he was now in a new place So he thought to at least take his first look around The little boys’ eyes grew wide; there was snow on the ground There was no one about as he looked up the street To the left nor the right, no ocean and no heat He ran to the kitchen and peered through that window frame But it was to no avail, the view looked the same He walked past the pantry to the living room A fire was burning but it didn’t melt his gloom But he did see a sight that brightened his face so young For above from the mantle all the stockings were hung As his mother did watch him and she saw his face frown And she walked up behind him and held him to her gown “I know this is all new to you,” her voice whispered Her hug felt as light as the song of a bird “But we’re all here together, as the same family” And he hugged her back just as tight as could be He felt himself yawn as they both sat by the fire She smiled and said”I think my little boy’s tired” Smiling she picked him up and danced round the floor And she danced up the stairs and she danced through his door She laid him down on his bed with his head on the pillow “All that travelling last night, you must be a tired fellow” And with a kiss on his cheek and she pulled up his quilt She knew he was scared and felt a tinge of guilt But she knew that a nap would help him find his smile So she returned to unpacking to let him sleep awhile His eyes were half closed but opened wide with a fear What if Santa did not know that they had moved here He huddled in his covers with a tear in his eyes And he drifted to sleep with just a start of a cry He couldn’t remember if he had started to dream For things suddenly felt strange, not as they had seemed He opened his eyes and he was not in his bed He was lying on a seat moving in a large sled The windows were covered with ice and some snow He sat up abruptly and felt his ride slow What got me here? He wondered as the sled stopped to park “Your eyes did,” a deep voice was heard to remark And the little boy looked up, away from the dark At the base of a grand set of inlaid slate stairs Stood a man with a pipe and a head of gray hair He didn’t seem jolly but his blue eyes did smile Nor appear overweight or a beard his hairstyle The tall man strode off of his porch to the sleigh He knelt down as they could talk closer that way He was the host and was made for the role “My name is Nick,” he said, “welcome to the North Pole.” He took the boys hand in his and they both walked They climbed up the staircase and neither one talked At the top of the mountain of stairs was a gate The man pushed on some buttons upon the door plate With a large hiss the boy heard a deadbolt release And the large gates swung open until the motion did cease As the little boy looked what a sight found his eyes! There was a village before him and he stared in surprise The man watched his face with just a hint of a smile Next to wondering eyes, he lit his pipe meanwhile “There’s a lot that’s been done here,” he laughed merrily “Tasks from hardworking friends,” he said.” Not just by me.” And the little eyes searched hard trying to see an elf. The man smiled, “I wanted to meet you and show you myself.” The boy looked in his eyes but his voice was delayed But he found it and he whispered, “I’m afraid.” The voice that replied was deep and gentle “I know that,” the man said, ‘”I see your eyes are full” He looked deeply into the face of this lamb “If you believe in me, “he said. “You know who I am.” The young boy turned to look at his face And his blue eyes met blue eyes that he knew from someplace All of the snow and lamps like candy canes A light bulb came on in the little boys’ brain And suddenly his eyes lit up with awe With eyes and mouth wide he exclaimed “You’re Santa Clause!” The old man saw his shoulders shake and he could tell Although the boys unending smile hid it well The North Pole’s winds, at times, both harsh and bold The little boy’s thin t-shirt was far too cold He pulled a small gold whistle from inside his coat He put it to his lips and blew a silent note Before the two could take a step more on the track A pair of Elves appeared and placed a robe upon his back He pulled it tightly about him and he smiled with glee At the two tiny Elves who bowed and giggled merrily Hand in hand they all walked as the boy beheld The large house at the streets end where Santa dwelled The street a giant circle laid with cobblestone Centered by a fountain of ice which like crystal shone On the outer edge were houses built of brick and mortar They each had high rooftops although the doors were shorter The street lamps were on poles that looked like candy canes Speakers on the lamp poles played holiday refrains Wide eyed the boy looked to the left and right His wonderment showed in his eyes as pure delight He wondered,” How come the snow is gone from here? Outside the gate I saw that it was everywhere?” The Elves wore knowing smiles upon their face The old man said “There’s a lot of Christmas magic in this place!” “Now look there, “and pointed, “See who expects us there!” The boy saw a woman at the door with salt and pepper hair The Christmas Village manor was just a short walk more “That’s my wife Leila, Mrs. Clause that stands there in the door!” Her green eyes were upon him with a welcome gaze He stepped upon the front porch above the walkways “Welcome,” she smiled to him, “Welcome on this special day, dear.” She shook his hand and in a hug she drew him near “Let us get inside,”she said, “And out of the cold!” He was amazed to find that Mrs. Clause was not that old “Why your cheeks are pink!” She laughed,”But I can understand.” And she put a steaming mug of cocoa in to his hand He sipped and found the taste to be the best he’d tried If his tongue could be believed and it was a trusty guide He looked around amazed by all that he could see But what caught his eyes the most was the amazing tree It was taller than he was, maybe two or three times It was filled with colored candles and bells that chimed And atop it was an angel that looked like a doll Its arms held wide, it held a banner that said peace to all There were many decorations hung about the walls And oil paintings and ornaments, large colored balls A fire burned brightly in the fireplace He could feel it’s warmth about his body and upon his face He turned to see his hosts both smiling hand in hand “I can’t believe I’m here,” he breathed, “It was never planned!” The old man took a seat and set his smoking pipe in a tray “You called out to me, son,” he said. “I heard your tears today.” “Now sometimes I might have just found a way to dry your eyes,” He smiled, “But I thought I’d do it with a large surprise.” The boy looked at him and he asked “Why would that be?” “It’s simple, son, “he stated, “Because you believe in me.” The boy looked deeply at him with a furrowed brow “But, Santa,” he exclaimed,” I thought of this just now!” “How can you be so skinny and how come you are shaved?!” “You look so round and jolly in every Christmas card I’ve saved?” The man reared back his head and slapped his knees just so And his eyes were twinkling as he let out a mighty “Ho, Ho, Ho!” “Well,” he said, with a smile and a glance over at his wife “Let me show you,” he began, “a little bit about our life.” He rose up to his feet and led the boy across the room They continued down a hall where poinsettias were in bloom The boy’s excitement grew as the two approached a wall As the old man pressed a button and a door began to crawl It slid silently into the wall to reveal a hidden space “This is my elevator,” he said. “It’s the way to move about the place.” As the door slid closed before them and the floor began to drop The old man started speaking, “Now let me take it from the top.” “I have been around quite a long time,” he began “Giving joy and hope to others has always been my plan.” He went on, “It started a lifetime ago long before many were born.” “But even with these many changes the idea never has been worn” He paused as the elevator slowed until it stopped And they waited till the door was open and the cage had dropped Another hallway now before them with a large doorway at the end “You are about to see,” he smiled, “what few have seen my friend.” “This is my workshop,” he said,” Full of gifts and ribbons and wrapping” “You wish for what’s in your heart,” he smiled,” this is where we make it happen.” With that he opened up the door and stepped off to one side From his first look the little boy’s mouth and eyes were wide They stood there at the edge of an enormous shop The entry from the hallway, a circle slide that never seemed to stop Every thing was run by Elves, kept busy by their tasks Doing much more than making toys and sipping cocoa from their casks A large group was doing the wrapping making wrap and ribbons fly Another group was testing toys, no broken ones got by Computers linked to department stores in every country you could find And Elves were searching EBay for those gifts so hard to find There were Elves with steaming mugs piled high on wide round trays A large set of double doors proclaimed it held the Christmas sleigh An oversized hallway held a sign big as a table It had an arrow pointing and the painted words The Stables There were lights of different colors flashing like a big arcade There was a mechanical band up near the roof that Christmas music played The little boy was overwhelmed, it was better than he’d thought And he climbed into the slide and he went down it like a shot Santa quickly followed, they tumbled together at the end They joined the Elfish laughter which Santa didn’t need to pretend They stood up from their clumsy landing as fast as they were able Still laughing at their silly antics they walked to Santa’s table The boy noticed the large suit of red in a clear dry cleaning bag He sat down on the ottoman while the Elves started playing tag “This place is filled with Christmas Magic, as wonderful as it seems” He smiled down at the boy and said, “Would you like to meet the team?” The boy though his head might fly off, so quickly did he nod He couldn’t wait to see the reindeer that carried Santa Claus abroad They walked around the teams of busy Elves who smiled and nodded as they passed They came upon the hallway, and continued down it rather fast The floor became a patio, of hardened flattened stone Single stables one by one, holding the only reindeer that have ever flown They walked out to the center of what looked to be a barn He said, “I’m going to call them out here, but you should be forewarned” “These reindeer are a loving lot, “Santa laughed, “They’ve never let me down yet.” He went on,” But I am sure they’ll lick your face so be ready to get wet!” He placed fingers to his lips and blew a whistle like a toy There was a stirring as the deer ran out and rushed to meet the boy He was laughing with delight as each one licked him on his face They let his small hands pet them and touch each crown they wore And he saw their antlers ringing from the bells that played a score They had collars too, with nametags made from shiny golden flake And he smiled to himself at the funny noises that they make One by one they turned away as if to a master’s call One by one they all returned inside their reindeer stall Santa said “Well, we’ll let them eat, it’s dinner time for them.” And the two walked back to the desk, Santa held his pipe by the stem “Before too long comes my biggest day,” Santa Claus said now. “On the night before it happens I will fatten up somehow I fall asleep to rest myself before my long journey through the air And when I wake to take the reigns I find my beard is there. During months we are off season, my wife and I will roam the lands And when folks see me as I am now, no one knows who I really am.” When he had finished speaking, he drained the last drop from his mug He sat upon the desk chair there atop the braided rug “Well my boy,” he told him, “What a busy day you’ve had!” The boy knew the visit was ending and it made his eyes look sad Santa smiled and he said “Why do you look with such dismay?” The boy met his eyes and said, “I have had such fun today.” Santa said,” I’m glad you came but you know I must prepare.” “But,” he said, “I wanted you to know that I knew where To find you since your family is now in a brand new home. The team will find your rooftop when on Christmas Eve we roam.” The little boy rushed forward and gave Santa such a hug Santa picked him up and the little boy gave such a shrug Once again the blue eyes met and understanding passed between Santa took the boys hand and said, “Now that you’ve seen, I will see that you get safely home and I want no more tears.” The little boy exclaimed “Santa, we must have been gone here for years! My mother will be worried that I’m not asleep in my bed. She might think I ran away or may be even dead!” Santa knelt before him and his eyes then left no doubt “Do you remember the Christmas magic, “he said, “That I told you about?” As his nod Santa continued, “Time is special here at the North Pole. There is always as much as you need, sometimes a minute seems not whole. When you awaken from your nap you’ll find not a moment has moved on, And it is doubtful that you mom will even know that you were gone!” The boy didn’t understand it all but didn’t think he must He knew that Santa told him only that which he could trust Together they walked to a door, one not noticed there before “This is a clever shortcut,” Santa said, “but there is more” He said,” Whenever doubt fills you, or you are feeling blue, I will know it when it happens and I will send some magic to you.” The boy turned the doorknob, and pulled open the door And, all of a sudden he saw the carpet on his rooms’ floor His head was on his pillow, his quilt was drawn up to his chin He was in a happy mood, but didn’t recall where he had been He slid himself out of his bed and soon walked out through the door He didn’t notice the piece of holly on his window that wasn’t there before He found his mother sitting at the kitchen counter sipping tea He sat upon the stool beside her as the little hand clicked to three “Look at all the snow,” she said, “no more afternoon tide.” He said, “Let’s go build a snowman, I’ll race you outside!” The End ©MikeM If you enjoyed this please share it! |
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