Letter to the editor: Reader offers Christmas poem in spirit of holidays
This is a Christmas story that I wrote many years ago that was influenced by my then 5-year-old niece, Coriander. My dream is to one day have it published. However, because of the world and domestic tension that we presently have, I thought it might be appropriate to have it published now, and hopefully, it will help people to remember why we are all here, to love one another. Here it is:
"CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! — CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!"
"Christmas Lights! Christmas Lights!"
Coriander cries out with delight
Driving around in the family car
To see Christmas lights they travel far
They travel on without a care
Christmas lights are everywhere!
Around the windows, along the roofs,
Lighting the way for reindeer hoofs
Sparkling in the Christmas snow
Curious faces are all aglow
Melissa loves the colors bright
Dancing rainbows in winter's night
Giant wet flakes start tumbling down
Dressing a pine in its winter gown
The gentle wind then slowly dances
Swaying lit jewels upon its branches.
Merlin's happy now that it's dark
It's time to drive through
the Christmas light park
There's a rocket that's ready to blast!
A sailing ship set at half mast.
Alicen points her toddler hand
Excited she sees "The Gingerbread Man"
As they drive down "Christmas Tree Lane"
Her eyes grow wide at the candy cane.
There's even excitement for Kati Rose!
When she sees a snowman with his carrot nose
Though only a baby and this her first glance
Christmas lights make her little feet dance
Next they see a Christmas bear
His lit up friends are everywhere!
The flickering candle, the carousel
The little church ringing its Christmas bell
Last, but not least, let us pause
To look at our favorite, Santa Clause (sic)
With eyes that twinkle and a beard of white
He smiles at us in the cold brisk night.
Did you learn anything from these lights aglow?
From all of their beauty that they had to show?
There are different colors — each a different hue
Each one different — like me and you.
Now when you look at your Christmas tree lights
All of their colors shining so bright
Close your eyes and on the lights you'll see faces
All different colors from all different places.
Then look at the cord between each light
Picture instead hands holding other hands tight
Then reach in your heart for something you know
There's nothing more beautiful than a human rainbow.
Then look at the star that is perched up above
And know that this rainbow is blessed with His love
Remember when you take your Christmas lights down
They should light up your heart all year round!
— Published with the consent of the author, Sandra Hanson (c) 1992
