Holiday Season Poetry Contest (Long Overdue)

As the Holiday season quickly approaches our minds are filled with thoughts of presents, lights, trees, snow, family, friends and good times, so for this contest we will use the Holiday Season for inspiration. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Eid, New Year's or just like the Winter time, use whatever sparks your creativity to compose a Holiday Themed poem.

Your poem should be no less than 4 verses of 4 rhyming lines (only), no more than 8 verses tops, all based on the holiday season.

All entries should be submitted directly to this thread by hitting the reply button.

Anyone can enter the contest and all who enter the contest will recieve Writer's Status.
Prizes are as follows:
1st Place 8,000 ATS Points
2nd Place 5,000 ATS Points
3rd Place 3,000 ATS Points
Popular Vote (post with the most stars): 5,000 ATS Points
The contest will end December 31st, 2007, with winners announced on January 3rd, 2008.

Good Luck and Have Fun.



[edit on 12-3-2007 by worldwatcher]

[edit on 3-3-2008 by worldwatcher]

Sometimes the Holidays can place many expectations or a pattern of thoughts in our heads, so here is something different.

And perhaps help left your spirits so you feel better :-)

And then it passed.
He stood in wonder since nothing had changed.
Disappointed, he started outside and stopped in the doorway,
noticing the trees and the flowers swaying in the wind, and it hit him.
Nothing could ever change him or anyone else.
It was within him and up to him. No one could make him happy.

Happiness must come from inside, and blossom without the thought of return. That was true happiness.

Happy that in this moment he could do whatever he wanted. There was no limit, no law to his moment. Simple truths anyone could follow. Simple truths that didn’t need to be written down. He could close his eyes and fly, see the colours of the sun and the sky. Rainbows were all around. He could run, jump, scream and laugh. Only what he did mattered.

The author of his own life, to write what he could imagine. To smile like the sun so that it spread throughout the world. To feel the gentle rain wash off the rust of previous thoughts that didn’t matter.

And he grew that moment, light immersed him and flowed around his shoulders. Then he knew love in it’s entirety. It was not directed, but sent forth and around. Emenating from all places and to all places.

His Mind cleared and he seemed to float, looking down he saw his body lying on the ground. Not dead, just sleeping, as he had been his whole life. Now awake he could see clearly, and feel truth and there seemed to be no end to the truth. Truth was life, miraculous in existence.

Mtmind

Happy Holidays!

The Gift

The bells they did ring,
A tear from the eye.
The heart it did sing,
The snow it did fly.

The hooves how they pranced,
Air blew so cold.
Adults even danced,
Revealed a glance down below.

The Joy of the child,
Rebirth of the soul.
The innocent smile,
The eternal goal.

The image, the sleigh,
Disappeared in the white.
The job it was done,
While dreams played the night.

Now soft resting chair,
Smoke by the fire.
Joy un-compared,
Fulfilled desire.

ATC North Pole this is Santa Claus One.
Rudolph is glowing it's time for some fun.
We reindeer are ready we've all had our hay.
The snow is fresh Santa, watch out for the spray.

Not to be corny, but up up and away.
One night a year. It's time to display.
With the sun to their backs, they'd better move fast.
More speed than a scram-jet this sleigh's unsurpassed.

The mince pies are tasty and the sherry is warming.
A few gallons later and Santa's performing.
Comes once a year! That Rudolph he's a laugh.
Rudy, you're a reindeer: too short for a giraffe.

Randy, little buggers, it's the same every year.
I'll pull in by the zoo, and go grab a beer.
Rudolph. Oh Rudolph the last in to his tack.
Sorry - late - boss - put - ladder - back!

On with the task, the children they're waiting.
While my randy reindeer have been festively mating.
He's been too long, that house looks disowned.
Oh great. No it's not, and now Santa is stoned.

Yeah boys this is wicked, I'm chilled to the max.
Where's the nearest garage, I need me some snacks.
The presents are finished, back to the pole.
Man I feel dizzy, just who's in control.

The suns coming fast now, with dawn quickly approaching.
Come on now boys, push it, don't waste a years worth of coaching.
Then Donner, he cries. the wives are all waiting on that mountain trail.
Don't worry says santa: Christmas party rules: will always prevail.

Have an awesome Christmas... I'll never tell... ever!!

ChiKeyMonKey











[edit on 3/12/07 by ChiKeyMonKey]

Ah, so this is what you were refering to Chikey Monkey..
I'm on it.
I wrote a poem for my kids a long time ago...and the weather we are having here today is appropriate.

~~~ The Alberta Clipper ~~~

It's snowing so hard,to hard to see,
my hands and feet in front of me.
I have rosy cheeks and a cherry nose,
icicle fingers, and popsicle toes.

The snow is getting deep,it's up to my waist.
I catch flakes on my tongue to see how they taste.
The snow is so deep.I wanted to play.
But everything is buried.Including my sleigh.

Enough is enough.I'm going in.
My face is so cold, I can't feel my chin.
I'm warming my toes by a cosy fire.
Mom gave me cookies and hot apple cider.

I think I'll wait for a warmer day,
When some snow has melted away,
So I can go outside and play,
Slide down the hill on my sleigh.





[edit on 3-12-2007 by AccessDenied]

Of all the joy
this time of year
the child in me
will shed a tear.

For as old as i
the magic has gone
but i rejoice
it lives in my son.

The impatiant wait
the happy banter
the constant question
Where is Santa?

The lure of toys
the dreams of sweets
a family dinner
all the seasonal treats.

The child in me
awakens from slumber
my boys happy face
helps me to remember.

The day approach
a good child he be
thank god for children
to awake the child in me.

This is a little dark, but Merry Christmas!


Darkness is fallen,
All asleep in thier beds.
A stranger is creeping,
Donning all whites and reds.

He enters covertly,
You hear not a sound.
Watching you sleep,
grabbing covers, pulling down.

Lick of the lips,
He wipes off his brow.
Would've happened toinght,
If not for the vow.

Resheaths the knife,
and heads through the door.
Falls to his knees
and lies on the floor.

Will is too shallow,
Drive is too strong.
Purgatory an eternity,
This night is so long.

Finally he settles
and rises to stand.
Things to be done,
Much work is at hand.

Something he brought,
He reaches and lifts.
Opens the Bag,
Starts laying out gifts.

O’ Christmas, O’ Christmas,
You’re here so quick.
Time to break out,
Visa, MasterCard or check.

The tally grows higher,
With each swipe of the card.
All for a bunch of stuff,
That your in-law will probably discard.

The search for the perfect gift,
Has alluded me for ages.
All Hail the gift card!
Even though they dip into my wages.

Don’t get me started,
On my yearly battle with lights.
I must outdo my neighbor,
At all costs and holiday rights.

I supervise my husband,
As he scales the roof of the house.
To string Christmas cheer,
And shut the mouth of his spouse.

A gift for the teacher,
Some booze for the priest.
Please god don’t let me get stuck,
Cooking the Christmas feast.

I sound like The Grinch,
To you all, I know with reason.
But I want to get back,
To the meaning of the season.

The birth of a Child,
Spawned this retail debauchery.
Why do WE get gifts,
When it’s His birthday?

So, I’ll drink some wine,
To ease the stress and tension.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
In case I forgot to mention.

Keep them Coming

Forgot to mention: 3 Entries Per Member for the contest.

Why do we allow you to spend
The holiday season so all alone?
This relationship, we need to mend.
I hate to see you on your own.

Originally posted by worldwatcher
As the Holiday season quickly approaches our minds are filled with thoughts of presents, lights, trees, snow, family, friends and good times, so for this contest we will use the Holiday Season for inspiration. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Eid, New Year's or just like the Winter time, use whatever sparks your creativity to compose a Holiday Themed poem.

Well for some of us folk Xmas means summertime, and so in keeping with a warm summer xmas here i go.

I'm Dreaming of a Burnt Christmas by mojo4sale.

Baked red dust and windblown swirling leaves,
cinnamon brown that hangs from the tree's,
And shimmering air from the heats summer haze,
blends together these scorching day's.

At last the sun sinks down between the golden peaks,
and russet clouds across the heavens streak.
Whilst in the house, creaking boards that advanced with the heat,
are gently cooling now and begin their retreat.

Tucked up for the night, lightly beneath a cotton sheet,
lies a little tot, covered o'er all, but for her feet.
She tosses and turn's and roll's and grunt's and moan's,
fearful of a day when she'll be full grown.

Then, no more dreams of elves and reindeer and Santa Claus,
but bills and work and stress and household chores.
But as she lies, head upon pillow, upon her tinseled bed,
she hears upon the roof a low "ho ho" and a stealthy tread.

Merry Xmas.


[edit on 4/12/07 by mojo4sale]

THE SANTANATOR

‘Twas the night before Christmas or maybe the day
When my living room floor opened up like a crater.
A cyborg stepped out, his red eyes looked my way.
I asked him his name, he said “The Santanator.”

You can imagine my face, I swear I looked stoned
As I eyed up and down this copper Christmas curator.
“Come with me if you want to gift,” he droned.
And I dared not disobey. After all, he’s a Santanator.

“Why’d you get your dad a tie?” He asked as he walked.
“You know he wants that Crate and Barrel Wine Waiter.”
“Well I thought about that but I…um…” then I balked.
He’d smell out my lie in a second would this Santanator.

“You’re mom wants a Pampered Chef Deep Dish Pie Plate.”
I covered my eyes. I’d bought her a cheese grater.
“Lucky” he hummed “there’s no fate but what we make.”
He was full of such tidbits, this wise Santanator.

He stole a car and drove me to the mall,
Determined to make my purchase power greater.
“Visa, Discover, Mastercard…get them all.”
Then we stormed Crate and Barrel, me and Santanator.

His infrared vision tracked hot deals all day,
And he carried my bags like a huge yuletide freighter.
And if we put an item or two on lay-a-way.
You know who said he’d be back: Santanator.

So I mortgaged my future to save my present(s).
‘cause my cyborg told me “now’s better than later.”
Hope mom and dad can help me out with rent(s).
Hasta la Vista to all, and thank you Santanator.

The field sleeps silently, under a blanket of white.
The sentinel in the middle is what caught our sight.
It stands all alone atop a small knoll
Demanding our attention, freely given in full.

We approach rather slowly, acknowledging its grace
Urgency is gone along with our haste.
Beams of pure sunlight streaming around
Silence is present, snow falling down

Its arms are covered in armor shinning white
Bathed in thousands of crystals glowing with light.
Our eyes fill with tears, our breath goes away
Its time to go home, but we want to stay

I shoulder my axe and look at my wife
Her face is all smiles, eyes filled with life
She shakes her head no, then takes my hand
We’ll find another tree for our Christmas stand.

Even with our hardships, we have it infinitely easier than the men and women in combat, so here is my ode to them this holiday season.

Away for the holidays.

The sand it blew fierce,
And time it was lost.
A land born of strife,
Such was the cost.

A home is dreamt,
A life is forgot.
His eyes seem so empty,
Was it all for not.

The price that is paid,
Is many times high.
It is the price that he paid,
For you and for I.

In this time of religion,
This time of rejoice.
He stands at attention,
Pondering his choice.

Will they remember,
Will they accept?
The choice that was made,
The faith that was lept?

Standing alone,
A tear runs it's length.
Wish for his home,
Pray for his strength.

He longs for a hug,
A touch from her skin.
A friend to say hi to,
A pint from the inn.

Good luck to you soldier,
May your journey soon end.
My words can't describe,
How I feel for you friend.

Mtmind

As a child I knew Santa Claus was real
To me Christmas day was a very big deal
All those toys beneath our Christmas tree
were for my sisters my bothers and for me

I remember making my list of every toy
and making sure Santa knew I was a boy
The smell of Christmas my mother baked
with aroma of apple pies and Sicilian cake

We put up the tree with popcorn strings
while singing Hark the harold angel sing
While Dad was outside hanging the lights
Our Mother would kiss us all good night

Those memories are still deep inside of me
as my children help to decorate our tree
I'm hanging the lights outside in the cold
while remembering the good days of old

My children dream of reindeer and toys
knowing they've been good girls and boys
And as for me I would of never of known
That I would be Santa in a suit full grown



Edit to change smells to aroma, sorry.






[edit on 12/4/2007 by Solarskye]

Santa needed to go to Nantucket
The overland delivery could not truck it
They were still on the list
And couldn't be missed
So he couldn't forget and just chuck it.

The last spot on Santa's list still was Nantucket
The reindeer were tired and might muck it
It's an island you see
with a chimney or three
So the reindeer ate power oats from a bucket.

Santa stood on the shore and looked out toward Nantucket
With reindeer nose steam all around he held his breath to not suck it
He decided the time was now ripe
And he lit up his pipe
Whose bowl was shaped like a duck lit.

Santa flew off from Cape Cod to Nantucket
The waves licked his sleigh and the hooves of his buck kit
He was almost out of toys
So for older girls and boys
He gave lottery tickets and wished them luck, Nyuk Nyuk.

1914

The machine guns roar
as dying men moan.
The soundtrack to this hellish war.
Yet all at once - this farce postpone.

"Come over here,"
I heard the call.
"No, over here," a reply in fear.
To No-Mans Land, they threw a ball.

Bavarian and Saxon both
Stood as one and took a drink.
Ignoring their once solemn oath
Instead they chose, for once, to think.

That Christmas Day -
Nineteen Fourteen.
Their fears, did both sides allay,
To offer hope - my, what a scene!

*Bump*

People are working here... Read and star people, read and star!

*Bump*

MonKey

"This One Goes Out to"

This one goes out to the soldier spending Christmas far away
They won't be home with their loved one's on Christmas day
Thank you for your courage and the strength to fight for us all
Our blessings go out to your families, and the heroes who fall

This one goes out to the firemen who risk their lives everyday
For the brave souls who didn't make it to another holiday
Merry Christmas to firefighters and their families too
Wishing you joy, happiness, and to say "thank you"

This one goes out to volunteers , who openly do good deeds
These people spend Christmas, giving to those in need
Whether it's Toys for Tots or the Angel Tree, these people care
So Merry Christmas to the people who's quality is very rare

This one goes out to the police who "lay it on the line"
The holidays wouldn't be the same if you didn't fight crime
We could not imagine a Christmas without any of you here
And we won't forget the fallen, who died thoughout the years

This one goes out to the homeless who have no place to go
May this season lift you higher and get you on the right road
We all fall hard sometimes and need hope to guide us along
Christmas has it's miracles, it can turn right from wrong

This one goes out to all ATS members who seek the truth
Denying ignorance with a passion and inspiring the youth
Happy holidays to you all and may your dreams come true
Enjoy time with your family, friends, and always be you

This one goes out to life because it's too precious to waste
Make all your days count, and live your life with taste
Please take your time to help others this season of giving
A Merry Christmas to all who make our time worth living

[edit on 12/9/2007 by Solarskye]

Christmas Greed?

By: TheDuckster

I'm overworked, and underpayed
I know this cannot last this long
The malls I've scoured, the games displayed
The System Wii, it is 'Hong Kong'.

Why oh Why, at Christmas time?
Do I match my wits with in-store clerks?
They should've had this game in stock
In time with all the holliday perks.

I'm sick of running 'store to store'
And knowing that this fight's in vain
I should wait until the 26th,
When 'Boxing Day', has 'made the grain'.

Why wait then?... before my eyes!
It sits apon a stand!
The wanting spies of another one
Get's slapped aside...oh life is grand!!!