My Christmas Poem

Christmas means many things to different people. As an atheist who is jaded by the 'Buy Now' consumerism that Christmas has become. I have my own thoughts about Christmas, possibly different than many people have.

I've thought deeply about the whole thing, and last year I wrote this poem to read at a Christmas Poetry Slam/Party. I read the poem (with a couple of changes) again at the same event this year.

The poem may not be much, but it says what I feel about the whole thing.

Merry Whatsit

Pagan rites and rituals

overlain by a holy Christian wash

and God Almighty consumerism rules;

eat and eat and eat

gimme, gimme, gimme! Gluttony

and avarice make for perfect

bedfellows, and that’s what it’s all

about. It’s hard to find space

for that tiny babe of doubtful birth,

but helping people & being nice

have their own rewards.

There’s an inner glow when you shine

your light on others, saint or sinner,

believer or not. And a child’s smile

as she plays with a huge box, empty

of materialistic burdens, makes

some sense of the Christmas myths.

Have a safe and happy time!