A String Of Lights

Down on his luck, a man is given hope At Christmas Time.

Christmas Eve

I had no cash

my clothes were old and worn

I dreaded an empty house of cold

on the following holiday morn

My caroling days were over 

I didn't rely on God 

how he could turn his back on me 

I found extremely odd 

I walked downtown to see the sights 

and things I could not buy 

The lights were twinkling all around 

and even in the sky 

I teetered through the fallen snow 

and peered inside a window 

I bundled up my frozen ears

and listened to the wind blow 

My facial muscles were frozen

my lips were dry and stiff 

I didn't feel quite human..

and I needed a certain lift 

My heart was oh so empty

my esteem was hanging low

I glanced upon the railroad tracks 

and decided "Time to go" 

I would lay my neck on the steely rail 

and close my eyes "real tight" 

My demise would shut out Christmas life

before the end of night 

Defeated tears rolled down my cheeks 

like earthly excess baggage 

I glanced at myself in a window pane 

and muttered (out loud) "Haggage" 

But as I turned to find a rail

(a quiet private spot) 

a man in a lovely woolen coat 

stepped out from a parking lot

"Could you help me with my lights ?  

I will pay you for your time 

I am the owner of this shop 

Clock and Tock and Chime"

I said I would certainly be happy

to help him with his chore

I only expected fifty cents

but he gladly paid me more

I cancelled out my plans to die

and helped him add some light

he offered me a part-time job  

and I just said "Alright"

His manner was kind and friendly

so he must have understood

despite my frown

and dirty clothes...

he must have seen some good. 

C December 24 2003   Revised From Last Year  By : J. Marks Edwina

Author's Note

" Bums" aren't perfect poets

Reviews

[Relic]

Awesome job on this Edwina, awesome.

[zainul]

Every individual gets divine blessing in some form.
You have nicely crafted a wonderful poem which depicts divine blessing at Christmas Eve.
Thanks for sharing the lovely piece.