A tribute to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Christmas sirens
I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
I saw the townsfolk cause affray,
with noses broken,
curses spoken –
peace on earth, goodwill to men?
Recalling, as the year unwound
the old familiar Christmas sound
of sirens’ screeching,
drunkards preaching
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
The ringing in my deafened ears
became a howl of screams and jeers,
all hope resigning,
undermining
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Amid the mess of urban sprawl,
I saw him by the church’s wall,
in bandaged dressings,
mumbling blessings:
“Peace on earth, goodwill to men”.
Ignored by people, day and night,
he thanked them as they blanked his plight,
this man neglected,
still projected
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
He sat there with his begging-board,
a soul that knew the real reward
was kindness, spreading,
love, embedding
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
I gave him alms, he shook his head
and pointed to his board instead,
the words I noted
just promoted
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
I took his message in my heart,
determined for a fresher start,
to stop the fighting,
start inviting
peace on earth, goodwill to men.
