Carolers down the street.

He always went the other way.

Chimes of silent bells;
tongue taken out
or covered in felt.

And when people told him
to buy the ex-wife a fine wine
he went with wool socks instead.

Except the first time they made love
on a wintry day like this
snow falling as he came down.
There seemed to be music
coming from deep within
the winter clothes
of Christmas shoppers
and as they passed
he bid them Merry Christmas
and it was as though
they were somehow pleased
to hear it.

Jingle Bells and Mistletoe
Christmas songs galore
Plastic crap marked down again
Sales in every store

Santa Claus in Shopping Malls
Photos for the hoards
Teenage girls dressed up like elves
Looking rather bored

Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
Get me through the Christmas Craze
Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
I can not take much more

Christmas shows and pantomimes
Put on by theater groups
Old actors who we used to know
How low will these folks stoop?

Boxing Day and crazy crowds
Houses lit up like the park
Even when the power's off
They're still glowing  in the dark

Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
Get me through the Christmas Craze
Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
I can not take much more

Charity is on the wane
People confuse want with need
The population's gone insane
They're full of Christmas greed

Snowmen out in the front yard
Decorating Christmas Trees
Carolers from up the church
...that is Christmas Time to me

Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
Get me through the Christmas Craze
Hollydaze, Oh Hollydaze
I can not take much more

It's holidays hamsters haven't you herd.
From all that annoying *** music and commercials done by sellout artist
trying to be cool word.
I myself would rather spend this month in a holiday coma.
Buy some cheap hookers some good whiskey and run over a black Friday crowd
in a stolen Sonoma .

It's give me give me and that's just from dad.
He'll break the bank and mommy will give him something the other
night his brother already had.

Maybe I should plant a minefield upon my lawn.
To ward off carolers  who only make me yawn.

I'll poison my cookies and sit back and wait.
Rob the old fat man and take Miss Santa out on a much deserved date.
Make your list and he will check twice.
After I blow his *** to pieces it really wont matter if your naughty or nice.

The holidays are a time for people to act insane over **** they do not need.
There addicts of want the stores are nothing more than dealers
selling coke crank and ****.

Maybe you love the lights and the holiday rush with the family and all.
Well you can eat **** and jingle my ball.
I hope to stay on the naughty list as  long as I'm alive.
Sincerely from Gonzo.
Shut the **** up and stop acting worse than a child who's five.

Don't send me a card cause I wont reply.
Here's your present it's a bomb now please die.

I hate the holidays call me a Grinch if you like.
******* Santa all I asked for  was a brick of ******* ,ten cases of whiskey, a key to the ******* mansion  ,  a  lifetime pass to the chicken ranch , A million dollars in unmarked bills ,
My neighbors dead ,And Harley Davison Motor bike.

T'was a night before Christmas, Not the one that we know
When the big guy came forth,From the land full of snow,
He'd been summoned down south, to a lawyers..no less
There were some concerns that he had to address.
First was the doll that was known just as Dinah,
It was looked at because it was all made in China
The paint would flake off, so it stayed on the shelves
It was obvious that it was not made by elves.
There were problems as well with the way that it looked,
From the make-up she wore, you would think that she hooked
The lawyers all said she should look more demure
And the manufacturers need to lose the fake fur.
To show off its privates, there wasn't the need
So it came off the shelves, and it was done with real speed.
The next toy examined was a gun that shot caps
But the chinese translation said it was used to shoot cats
PETA had phoned and was all up in arms
That Santa believed in "The right to bear arms"
"Santa", they said "you can't sell guns as toys"
"They're dangerous for all the girls and the boys"
But Santa just sat and he had nothing to say
Their arguements meant things would not go his way.
So he sat and he watched as each toy was brought out
Though deep down inside, he just wanted to shout
"What happened to Christmas, it's supposed to be fun"
"Where is the harm in a little toy gun?"
"Expenses kept rising and the costs all went nuts"
"I had to lay off the elves as one of the cuts"
"I outsourced to China, Taiwan and B.C."
"How would I know this would happen to me"
"Wal-mart's successful with importing from there"
"In fact, they all do it with nary a care"
"I can hire some back as consultants as such"
"But, with the cost of production, I can't pay them too much"
"You all once were children and you broke what I gave"
"Now production from China is the new fad and rave"
"The toys were more dangerous in years all gone by"
"There were parts you could swallow and choke on and die"
"The paint was lead based like the stuff you all fear"
"You all ate it as children and yet your're still here"
"Now come and tell Santa what this is really about"
"I've got contacts upstairs, you know Santa has clout"
"Did I miss you one chistmas, getting you G.I Joe?"
"I'm really confused and I really must know"
"There's no time to dawdle because Christmas comes soon"
"I now have to leave early so I get home by noon"
"I'm down to four reindeer from my original eight"
"And with half my contingent, I'm usually late"
"Now please tell me all, what it is that I missed"
"We just needed to see you to know you exist"
"As lawyers our spirit is little to none"
"And the whole Christmas season si no longer fun"
"They've banned the word Christmas in court and in Schools"
"In fact we all feel that we all look like fools"
"We used this sad tactic to get you down here"
"So you can do something great to bring back our cheer"
"Christmas once was a time for belonging"
"When carolers sang and went out all ding donging"
"It's now just a season for retail and sales"
"Where people just eat and they look like beached whales"
So Santa sat back and he thought  what to do
How could I make Christmas Special, can I make it brand new"
He then said "I've got it, I'll bring back the elves"
"I'll make stuff on consignment and I'll fill the shelves"
"I'll go out on tour signing books to mend fences
"All the money I make will help drop my expenses
"The toys will stay dangerous, that never will change"
"But, I'll make less noisy guns and I;ll reduce their range"
"I'll advertise Christmas....yes that's what I'll do"
"I'll do it up as a sequel....Call it Christmas Part Two"
And he rose from his chair and he said with a grin
"I'm off now to China to fire ten guys named Chin"
And those lawyers all heard as he flew away East,
"Who'd have thought three small presents would create such a beast?"

December is here..
Carolers are everywhere.
Houses are full of decaration.
Every people is having a great preparation.

Christmas is near..
Are you willing to open up your heart?
HE is coming..
Checking if you still remember.
The day that HE was born in the manger.

He is out there..
Waiting for you in the manger.
Hoping that you care.
Are you willing to visit HIM there?

The holiday season is here-
Close to closing out the year-
CHRISTMAS trees decorated so bright-
Carolers singing throughout the night-
Kids waiting for SANTA  and his deer-
Mistletoes hanging just right there-
Presents under the tree just right-
Waiting to be opened this special night-
CHRISTMAS EVE  indeed has come-
Celebrated by everyone-
Outside the snowflakes fall-
Mistletoe hanging in the hall-
A wintry mix to make things bright-
ALL for this special night-
From my family with lots of cheer-
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR-

Christmas Knowing
We mourn the life of Elisabeth Edwards a life
Truly that was Magnificence blasted
She truly will be home for Christmas

It happens imperceptibly on any given winters frosty morn the Christmas spirit returns where has it been many places here are the
Most important places Heaven and church houses the angels and carolers coalesce in this regard both act kind of alike both groups
Highly anticipate this time and then they both seem to rush out unknowing they bring the holy hush and sacred atmosphere along
Since they rush out at such speed it has no time it remain with them and then the other places the Christmas spirit resides in last year’s empty
Boxes quietly put away in closets, attics, and back bedrooms or in drawers with ribbons and even on the sharp edges of scissors that
Were used to cut wrapping paper and this spirit slowly recedes to far corners of rooms in all our homes it never really is gone it was
To strong mingled with love joy and laughter and hearts and souls of families you call it forth by speaking on the phone or speaking
To one another about it in the depths of each soul it has such a density it is layered by all that makes Christmas so great and real
It’s like blowing on embers that seem finished but by your gentle breath life is renewed at first just a small glow but with persistence
The reward a tiny flame and then the Yule log itself catches fire the inward dormant spirit floods the home on the wings of the cozy
Fire momentarily turn your attention to the outside what pleasure you can be the loneliest rejected person but driving by you see a
Families tree in the window what is it like the silver moonlight when it drenches the darkness it Illuminates everything it touches it is soft
You soften as well by looking at their tree you are seeing and feel welcome you magnify the setting to grand and immeasurable true
Depths your eyes pulled from the scene but not from the lasting effects of being conscious undivided from others and the love they
Feel for one another then returning in doors and especially filled with delight if your neighbor is one that has his yard and house
Decorated as much as you do you have to go look out the window for another look your window absolutely beautiful not only the
Tree is glory dressed in ***** of all colors deep greens with white powdered flow lines tiny Santa smiling beside rooftop chimney red *****
With brown reindeers blue with widows each square filled with snow then your own window sprayed with snow from a can the little
Trees that were cut out like paper cut out dolls sprayed over then when they were removed left perfect trees of glass surrounded
By the snow spray, feel Christmas in the air if it were an older Christmas there would be tops as big as upside down bowls with a point
Red with wide yellow rings with children painted in blue a long curled rod would protrude from the top and it would finish with a wood
Handle shove it down several times pull your hand off watch it whirl a more extravagant gift a Ferris wheel a foot high yellow dream
With blue stars splashed about get lost in this twirling wonder down and up it goes beautiful dolls compete toy dish sets tea anyone
A large view of the room candles on the mantle loved ones look from pictures in frames on walls and tables but as I have said before
How much more they are present in the living that contain everything that they were when physically present now they are dispersed
Through the tiniest treasures some small enough to nuzzle your neck try to buy that and put it under the tree there breath is present
In yours their spirits more real and stronger than the timbers that hold the structure over your head to move from the Christmas spirit
To the human spirit a few years ago an experiment showed a lighting type of energy in flux coming from a human body they estimated
Its power would reach levels of atomic proportions if harnessed then unleashed you’re not from monkeys and you’re not weak clay
That can be easily erased we already know we are eternal an a room filled with loving caring families are unbeatable nothing can
Compare to it this is the envy of time and eternity only His love out shines it and is more valued comfort knows no bounds but it rests within
Wooden walls and halls decked with holly love the legal true tender of Christmas enjoy spend it with abandonment there are a lot
Who hurt the whole year it is now a fight to even say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah worse it has become unimportant how sad
There is such a thing as being too modern we need to find the old sign post give them our allegiance speak truthfully be kind this uplifts
A nation and its people

12\7\10 The honored dead of punch bowl and Pearl whisper softly.
Life contrasts with death but gives birth to harmony.
The dead guide the living into a higher arena.
We are called and pressed by the common that are now lofty

As bland as the snow-covered lawn
     I stare
wishing I were as resilient
                          as the scraggly blades of grass
                          refusing to hide their presence
                under the act of God.

     And I stare
                 because I cannot feel who I am today.

The withering bush
                         gives me no hope
                                                       nor
                   the single starving starling
                                             peck
                                             peck
                                             pecking
                                 at the hardened crust
                                      to find a meal.

     And I stare
                         at the absence of humanity
and uncourageous spirits
                                         who hide indoors
     resigned
                         to take this
                    cold, harsh beating
                      without a fight.

     And I stare
                  into a bank of whiteness
becoming blind
                                 with indescription
                                              and anger
     wishing we could build snowmen again.

     And I stare
          until this sheet of ice
                becomes the
                       blanket of false snowfalls
on the living room table
                            nestled artfully beneath
                 the Christmas village.

We construct happy winter cities
                       of Victorian memories that
                                                      we never had
             with pristine houses
             and carolers and sledders
             taken out of boxes
                              all perfect and smiling...

if only...
          if only...
                     if only... I could take him out of his box
and set him here....


     And I stare
                        at the absence of humanity...

praying
I will have the strength
                                      of a blade of grass.

Peace of Christmas
suffuses the
bhajan hall
settling like snowfall
over the manger in Bethlehem

Its no wonder
on my way to kirtan
a white car dashed in front of me
embossed over its rear view window
was the Om glittering forth
reminiscent of snow crystals
softly descending from
the lofty Himalayas

Certainly this was turning out
to be quite a
magical evening
there was a hint of Sai in the atmosphere
although the devotees were sparse
we sang our hearts out
Yuletide hymns and Hare Krishna

Carolers on the door steps of God

it´s like water spilling from a leaky floorboard and your stuck in the basement.
it´s like asphalt thats too hot and you forgot your shoes at home.
it´s like the baby just pooed and it ain´t your baby, still its gotta be changed.
it´s like the wrong ***** for the right screwdriver.
it´s like a cold winters day in skinny jeans, no room for longjohns,
or a bird ******* in your hair
or carolers caroling
or kids screaming
or a broken heart and you dont know why it broke.

it´s the song that wont stop singing itself inside your head because somehow it knows you need work letting go.

hey, song, go **** yourself.

cause I´m tired of being reminded I´m no good.
cause I´m tired of feeling no good.
cause I´m tired of having dams for eyes.
cause I´m tired of being the same.

maybe its learning to rest more so I´m no longer tired of trying.
cause I´m tired of sitting on my ***,
doing nothing, about something, which is me.

Holiday.
Blurs of Red and Green.
The smell of peppermint and pine
lingering in the atmosphere.

Sounds of bells chiming
Ringing
And carolers singing
As churchgoers
also join together in their hymns.

Family
joining together.
Couples
under the mistletoe
and hearing
the crackle
of wood burning
in the fireplace
Enlightening everyone all around
With its warmth.

The holiday season is here-
Close to closing out the year-
Christmas trees decorated so bright-
Carolers singing throughout the night-
Kids waiting for SANTA  and his deer-
Mistletoe hanging just right there-
Presents under the tree just right-
Waiting to be opened this special night-
Christmas EVE  indeed has come-
Celebrated by everyone-
Outside the snowflakes fall-
Mistletoes hanging in the hall-
A wintry mix to make things bright-
All for this special night-
From my family with lots of cheer-
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

The click and pound and beat
Will be the final thing that they hear
Not their moms saying have a good day
Or their dads squeezing them and saying I love you
The Christmas Tree delicately lit
Will be the candle to remember them by
And the ornaments that were delicately placed
Will be the bullets that were fired...
The classic winter wonderland
Will be altered this year
No longer happy and cheerful
Or up-beat and comforting
The shots ring through your ears
Will be all that you hear come Christmas Eve and Day
Not the hourly chimes of the town clock
Or the regular carolers
The Christmas Tree delicately lit
Will be the candles to remember them by

As she swayed to the tide of music nobody heard
The ghostly rhythms of my own forgotten soul caught FIRE
Tap dancing tenaciously on the tightrope of the void
Calling forth cascading cataracts, callousing over the mind, a cacophony of Mallards, flying south for the winter,
NEVER AGAIN TO SEE THEIR MOTHERS.
She tied my brain into a rope and swung across the chasm
Laughing like a Mameluke who had just discovered his feet.
The camel was left behind at the gate
The Babble went on till the break of dawn
Till it stopped.
And collapsed.
And felt weak as a Sunday Noon Tide Carolers
Bunchcake, Fun and Dry, Severing again and again the Hair twine
Randal Slappy Blimp map candy man Cadillac attack
A BOTTLE OF WINE AND TWO LEFT FEET LATER
A scumaladdoodalla frigate-splayed poodle-cups
When finally she agreed to let me into her preschool
I had already given up the hope of ever having a career in the arts.
Bean friends. Are the only friends. That accompany you. To heaven.

The church bells are ringing
There's cheer in the air
Everyone's wishing Merry Christmas
Have a Happy New Year
But I feel so unhappy
I'm feeling so blue
It's just not Christmas
Without the joy of you

There are presents
Under the tree
There are happy children
All around me
But I lost all of my spirit
And started to tear
When you left me
You took away all of my cheer

Now the carolers are singing
Oh Holly Night
The snow's so enchanting
It's such a delight
But my heart is barren
My heart can't be consoled
You took away all of my comfort
You destroyed all of my soul

Oh ! Merry Christmas .
And have a good year
I wish you all the best
That much is so clear
So unwrap all of your presents
Raise a toast and cheer
Have Christmas dinner
I'll catch you , maybe next year

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The "starting gun" has sounded, officially setting off the Christmas rush. Stores are crowded, parking spaces are becoming non-existent, and the joyful sounds of shoppers echo throughout the canyons of the city("Same to you buddy!", etc. etc.etc.)
Neighborhood Christmas lights and decorations have been going up since the passing of Halloween. Some are elaborate and garish, others simple in their presentations. A contest, if you will, trying to outdo one another. Or rather, who can out-spend the other, a battle of egos, so to speak
Carolers, those small groups of both young and old, have all but disappeared, in this city anyway. It was a good feeling,  sitting in your home, and suddenly hearing the voices singing Christmas carols. Jumping up, running to the door, and seeing a group standing not far from your porch singing "Silent Night", "O' Come all You Faithful", or another. Wishing you a "Merry Christmas!" as they continued down the street. Today, step out on your porch and you could get a gun stuck in your face.
It's now a different time, different era, with different attitudes. Christmas seems to have become a "me first" season. It's  time for a change.

copyright: richard riddle-emended November 26, 2015

Thunder blue
Leaves abducted from there gray fathers
Windows buckled and snap against the pressure.
Shutters shutter.
Lights dance and collapse in their bulbs.

The trees sway like chilly carolers.
Bring me winds. Rain a la carte.

Santa Claus is coming,
Christmas is almost here,
The children are snug in their beds,
Dreaming of Christmas cheer.
The cookies are in the oven,
The pie is out to cool,
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
We're ready for the Christmas yule.

The tree is trimmed in silver,
There's carolers at the door,
Singing their songs of Christmas,
And St. Nicholas lore,
The snow is falling lightly,
There's magic in the air,
With the feeling of warmth and happiness,
The joy of Christmas is everywhere.

Your nimble fingers
secrete the stray
merchandise at Main
Street's Almighty
Dollar Store -
a place brimming with
inanimate objects made in
Japan and China,
transported into your bulky
winter coat's four
outside pockets

Hide that pack of gum,
those ballpoint pens,
mechanical pencils, tiny
spiral bound notebooks that
fit so easily

Conceal that paperback best seller
you were looking through earlier,
the one titled "Where is God?"
in bold red type superimposed
against a threatening gray sky

Grab that bracelet for your wife,
that string of pearls too
and don't forget a bib for the
baby, a knickknack to brighten
your mother's dingy living
room and remember to take
those black leather gloves
so perfect for the
months ahead

With your heart racing,
move toward the exit door,
walk - don't run - avoid
eye contact - that's it -
keep going, but slowly

And then, as you take a few
steps forward outside,
someone from behind roughly
grabs your shoulders

As you turn around, those
gloves fall out
of a crowded pocket,
landing on the
snowy sidewalk

The hefty security
guy retrieves the
gloves and nudges
you back into the
warmth of the store

Somewhere in the
distance, carolers
are singing "Silent Night"

By: Cedric McClester

Holidays come
And holidays go
But none are like Christmas
None of ‘em I know
Nothing can compare
With that Christmas atmosphere
Or the gifts that we share
With the ones for whom we care

Holidays come
And holidays go
But not many of ‘em
Do we pray for snow
With sleigh bells ringing
And children’s eyes aglow
Or carolers singing
Familiar songs we know

Holidays come
And holidays go
But none of ‘em have
The same ebb and flow
As Christmas does each year
Which only goes to show
How it’s anticipated
Like we already know

Holidays come
And holidays go
But Christmas is special
Underneath the mistletoe
People are laughing
And shopping to and frow
For just the right gifts
That express the love you show





















Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2015.  All rights reserved.

Come decorate the tree with me dear,

Pretend like we're the only ones here.

A tight embrace, this is my place.

Here in your arms is my favorite space.



The snow is falling on the icy ground,

The sound of carolers is all around.

Everyone leaves just you and me here.

Now it's our turn to spread the cheer.



This is your favorite time of year,

It isn't mine but you're here.

This smile on my face will last forever,

Just as long as we're together.



You make my heart sing a euphoric tune,

You take me out to dance under the snowy moon.

We laugh to the merry spirit of the season.

We're in love, that's the only reason.

he sold his house of cards and joined a band wagon caravan marching carolers streaming down the Nile River playing sad songs better
searching for Jesus and the Pharaoh and Cleopatra and Madonna
pop culture religion


he kissed ferris wheels
I never forgot the clouds
We stole the timelines from trees
Fractal fairytale disease
Symptoms of make believe


Falling in love life
Wonderland lust
Teaching kites how to fly
Graceful ugly ducklings sailing the moon to peterplan
So little princes and Indians can plant sunflowers
While the aliens are on vacation
Like surprise Christmas gifts of sparklers on new years the color of Atlantis books hidden in scrolls in marketplace buddhas

The world travels around us
As we play sad songs better

We build homes for those without
Feed our flesh to the Earth
Death blooming circles Mary go round ring round the rosey sunset kind of apocalypse called bliss

Wisdom streamlined by the old fisherman drowning in the fresh air as pinnochio waves from the whale saved by hopeful generation bred with care compassion
Playing our sad songs better

Christening the weather
Baptising ourselves in the rain
Calling the universe our church
Truth seeds in our hearts and membranes

Hummingbirds living in beehives
Hybrid hope of tomorrow

Letting lions and lambs play with mice
Aesop playing banjo out of tune
Poets turning into to fireflies
Lighting our way home
Through crop circles and ghost stories
Not being anchored by our past
We are no generation Titanic
We just play sad songs better

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The "starting gun" has sounded, officially setting off the Christmas rush. Stores will be crowded, parking spaces, becoming non-existent, and the joyful sounds of shoppers echoing throughout the canyons of the city("Same to you buddy!", "Hey, butthead, that's my parking space!")Neighborhood Christmas lights and decorations have been going up since the passing of Halloween. Some are elaborate and garish, others simple in their presentations. A contest, if you will, trying to outdo one another. Or rather, who can out-spend the other, a battle of egos, so to speak.

Carolers, those small groups of both young and old, have all but disappeared, in this city, anyway. It was a good feeling,  sitting in your home, and suddenly hearing the voices singing Christmas carols. Jumping up, running to the door, and seeing a group standing not far from your porch singing "Silent Night", "O' Come all You Faithful", or another, and wishing you a "Merry Christmas!" as they continued down the street. Now, step out on your porch and you could get a gun stuck in your face.
It's now a different time, different era, with different attitudes. Christmas seems to have become a "me first" season. It's  time for a change.

copyright: richard riddle-emended November 26, 2015

Christmas season
Bells are ringing
Carolers are singing
Snowflakes fall
Birds fly away
Lights are bright.
You are right
It's Christmas time.
Stores are open
People are shopping
Children are playing
People are saying
MERY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Delicious goodies
Bright colored ornaments
Gorgeous colors
Red, green, blue, gold and silver
Beautifully decorated trees
Scents of pine

Candy canes and tinsel

Tables adorned with chocolates
Holiday cookies all around
Smells of turkey and roasts
Pies baking
And all things good


Candy canes and tinsel

Snow covered lawns
Glistening white like diamonds
Outside trees adorned with lights
Carolers and choirs singing

Candy canes and tinsel  

Sounds of music in the air
Feelings of good cheer everywhere
Smiles and laughter

Candy canes and tinsel