Tears in Christmas

The stark contrast between the festive preparations during the holiday season, against the backdrop of ongoing wars

Tears in Christmas

Anguish amid Christmas bells, a world in pain,

Nonhuman despair, an air heavy with strain.

A dichotomy seen, guilt may rise,

Joy and sorrow in empathetic ties.

Alla Antsis

December3, 2023

Author's Note

In the face of conflict and the endurance of inhumane conditions by many, the prospect of reveling in holiday festivities can seem almost paradoxical and, at times, emotionally challenging.

Reviews

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful and poignant. Great work.

[Tate Morgan]

May Christmas be a time for family and joyous memories. I know the rest of the world suffers sadly. However be the light that shines on humanity. and they will beat a path to your door.

[Alla Antsis]

Amen! Happy Holidays

[Mauricio Montoya]

Yes Chris ur right of all things around us but we must cherish those things close to us and have hope. Thank you for sharing this time when we need understanding of what is around us. Happy holidays

[Alla Antsis]

Thank you, Mauricio for your thoughts! Enjoy holiday season

[Mauricio Montoya]

Chris thank you ur a good writer happy everything and keep on writing. Thank you for your thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Alla, with so much death and destruction in current conflicts, it won’t be easy to have a joyful Christmas. My thoughts and prayers will be elsewhere. Hoping for resolutions to these awful wars. My best to you.

Chris

[Alla Antsis]

Chris,
Thank you for your review. Enjoy your holiday season! Life will go on!

[Chris Shaw]

It surely will Alla. Take care and seasons greetings to you and yours.

[emmajoygreen]

Perhaps this is The time to pray or - at least think of others away from the table of plenty. Ways of helping: give someone an extra hug, then say a gift to Crisis or another vital charity is what I'm giving on your behalf this year. Likeminded people will understand that charity does stem at home but not necessarily your own.

Your poetry always prompts action - thank you so very muich dear Alla Antsis.

[Alla Antsis]

Thank you for your review, Emma! Much appreciate!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Alla… the destruction of our World is always on our Mind. How do we keep our children well during these turbulent times. The young people are the Hope of the World. Is there a Philosophy that would soothe their troubled ❤️ Hearts. softly, Pat

[Alla Antsis]

Thank you for your comments and much appreciate you visiting my site. Happy Holidays1 Peace!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the empathetic ties make it hard for most of us to feel celebratory this Christmas in a world gone mad.
This is quite powerful, Alla, as are all your offerings.
j.

[Alla Antsis]

Thank you for your kind views and reviews!

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my dear friend. A ugly world today. War is alive and well. I pray for peace and safety of the innocence. Thank you Alla for sharing the amazing and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Alla Antsis]

Appreciate your visit and review, Coyote!

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Four lines of words well spoken, but never really heard. And never really will be. Because, the concern, is surface level only, and never of not experienced through loss of their own. And so, all the world wallows in that quagmire of pain, suffering, misery, grief, loss, and that death that others suffer, whilst they, they themselves, remain untouched and only skim the entertainment's calm and smoothly oiled surface of a reality which they do think shall never be their own, to own, in experiencing as such for themselves as an all too surreal reality of their own, very personal and individual, lives. Sorry, but I speak that which i do feel in the moment, and I write, even in commenting, accordingly. Four very touching lines very well expressed and written!

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Alla Antsis]

Absolutely agree with you, Marvin! How can we expect those who haven't experienced losses, suffering, or the heart-wrenching pain of losing a loved one in war - not due to illness, accident, or an act of nature, but through the sheer cruelty of someone's killing spree - to understand true compassion? It's the visceral feeling of pain and the burn on your own skin that allows one to truly empathize. We may strive to connect with the higher good, but it often happens only fleetingly when confronted with evil. It's not sustainable day after day, until you find yourself devoid of tears and heart, left only with a pervasive feeling of hate that has taken over the better part of you

[Matthew Kult]

Painfully real, the world is torn apart. Many are without homes and so many have died.

Powerful read

With love

Matthew

[Alla Antsis]

Thank you, Matthew! This year unlike any other years are gripping with emotions...Please visit my other anti-war work.