DECEMBER/JANUARY COMPETITION - POST ALL ENTRIES HERE

[Ric Raftis]

G'day all,

Well with the silly season about to move into full swing, we thought that we can get into the spirit by choosing a relevant topic.  It was a toss up between "The Christmas Gift" and "New Year's Resolutions".  Well the coin landed on its edge so both topics will be the topic.

So let the imagination flow and get those poems in to win the coveted trophy of being announced the winner at the end of January.

EDIT
In light of Kym's suggestion I thought I would put it to the masses because perhaps people may wish to write about a gift they have received after the event and would only have a couple of days for a Christmas gift.  So a poll has been created which will be left for 5 days.  Vote quick.  Democracy rules and the most votes wins.

[the mad mare]

Hey Ric, could each topic run for one month each?  The Christmas Gift in December, and New Year's Resolutions in January?  I'm sure Judi wouldn't mind judging the two separately.  Just a suggestion - waddayareckon?

Kym.

[Irene]

Ric,
I am a bit ignorant of these site polls - what do I do to register a vote? I can't work out where I click - nothing happens!! I must be having a blonde day!
Catchya
Irene

[Ric Raftis]

To the left of the questions Irene there is a circle.  Click in the circle with your mouse and then click on Submit Vote.  Once you have voted you can't vote again.  The system won't let you.

[Irene]

Definitely a blonde day!!! I was trying to vote without being logged in!!  :oops:

I have it now.

catchya
Irene

[Wormdigger]

About a fotnight ago I loged in with the Update on the
IRONBARK BUSH VERSE & FOLK MUSIC MUSTER
For 2007  Did it get to you Ric or not I cant find it in the forum.
I also think I got my avata in to so it should give you all some idea what this ol bushwakker looks like,
If the Update Didn't get to you Ric let me Know and I'll re-enter it for you.
Charles R Kerr
Stawell Regional Arts[/b]

[Ric Raftis]

Although the votes in the poll were close, 3 votes to 2, democracy must rule and therefore the two topics will run concurrently.  So you can write a poem on either a Christmas gift or a New Years resolution.

PS I didn't vote.

Charlie

Your post about Stawell was moved to the Bush Poetry Events section.  This was the one on 1st October and is located at http://www.bushverse.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=404

No new posts have been sighted since then, nor is your avatar loaded mate.

[Irene]

Ric
Can we do one poem on each topic if we get inspired, or do we only get to pick one topic?

Catchya
Irene

[Ric Raftis]

G'day Irene,

Loose and all as our "rules" are, there has never been anything said about only submitting one piece anyway.  So I don't see why you can't put in a couple.

[the mad mare]

OK, OK, I'll go first .... sometimes the only gift we wish for, simply can't happen ...


The Christmas Wish
by Kym Eitel

‘Twas Christmas Eve in ’94, when Santa made a call,
with shining gifts of red and gold, some large and others small.
The presents were for Kate and Anne, aged six, and nearly four.  
Instead, he found a pile of toys around the fireplace door.

Beside the pile, a tiny note, in childish writing said:
Dear Santa Claus, I’m sorry, but I had to go to bed.
I really need to speak to you.   I need your help you see.
I hope you find this letter by our pretty Christmas tree.

I’m giving back my favourite toys and precious things to you.
I’m giving back my piggy bank and all my money too.
I’m giving back my Barbie dolls, my books and makeup sets.
I’m even giving back Louise, my doll that cries and wets.

You see - this year, I don’t want toys. There’s just one thing I ask.
I don’t know if you’ll help me out, it could be quite a task.
I love my sister, Annie Jay.  I love her very much,
but Mummy says that Annie has Loo-kee-mee such and such.

I don’t know how to spell it, but it’s taking her away.
She’s going up to Heaven soon, to watch the angels play.
Mum says that she must go alone.  I can’t go with her there.
Why can’t she stay right here with me?   It simply isn’t fair.

Who’ll snuggle in my bed at night, when scary monsters growl?
Who’ll sing and make me giggle when we hear the dingoes howl?
And who will be my sister then?   Who’ll hug me when I cry -
when Annie goes with angels up to Heaven in the sky?

I’ll blow a kiss to Annie up in Heaven every night.
I’ll sing to her at bedtime, and I’ll see her star shine bright.
She doesn’t want to go just yet – she told me so today.
If I knew the way to Heaven, I could visit her and play.

She sees the shiny presents stacked beneath the Christmas tree.
She wants to be here Christmas Day to open them with me.
She can’t remember Christmas time, she isn’t even four.
She’d like another Christmas Day, please Santa – just one more.

Mum says that even God himself can’t cure my sister, Anne.
So Santa, here’s my Christmas wish, please help me if you can.
I’ll never ask for toys again, if just one thing you’ll do
… give Annie one last Christmas please … before she’s an angel too.

[the mad mare]

Apologies to everyone for putting a sad poem on - kind of a Christmas spirit killer, hey?  So here we go, here's a silly one for you (true story though -my daughters were aged 2, 3 and 4 when I wrote this one) ...



Christmas At The Eitel's House
by Kym Eitel


T’was the night before Christmas at Frank and Kym’s house,
not a child did stir, they were quiet as a mouse.
They’d a plot to catch Santa - a smart, cunning plan,
they would stay wide awake and they’d grab that fat man!

They all lay by the fireplace and hid out of sight.
They had put out some nibbles to tempt and invite -
the reindeer got lucerne they’d nicked from the horse,
and Santa got wine (but non-alco of course)!

The small plastic tree flashed in colours so bright,
to light Santa’s way through the heat of the night,
and a sign by the door in child’s writing so dear,
pleaded “Santa, please visit and leave presents here”.

All the windows were frosty with snowflakes and ice
(a stencil and can of fake snow did suffice).
The air blew a chill on their faces so rosy,
(the cooler felt lovely, so fresh and so cosy).

All three letters were sent to North Pole full of thanks
listing gifts that they hoped for (despite cheeky pranks),
and of their good manners, each youngster assures,
love to Santa, thanks elves, and Hi Mrs Claus!

They all wriggled and waited, their heads then did sway.
Was that hooves on the roof?  Was that bells far away?
“Come now Dasher!  Now Dancer!  Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet!  On Cupid!  On Donder and Blitzen!”

They heard him!  He’s true!  Yes, he really is so!
They were sure they heard Santa say “Ho-ho, ho, ho!”
With eyelids so heavy they drift off to sleep,
with Santa-filled dreaming and memories to keep.

They awoke in the morning - a wonderful scene -
a stack of bright presents - a fireplace not clean!
The reindeer had spread out the lucerne all round,
spilled water and left a small poop on the ground!

The cake was all gone ... and the whole glass of wine ...
at least half the bottle - he liked that just fine!
Some magic dust glittered all over the floor ...
from the snacks … to the stockings then fireplace door!

The presents were wrapped in pure silver, by golly!
(much better than cheap stuff that Mum gets from Solly’s).
The gift tags were cold like the snow where they’d come,
with writing so fancy, the elves must have done!

The kids got to thinking, and added the proof -
*  they’d heard jingling chains and small hooves on the roof
*  the secret requests in their letters came true
    (oh no, Mum hadn’t read them, she hadn’t a clue!)

*  the gift tags and paper were made with elf-love
*  the magic dust glittered like Heaven above
*  they heard Santa calling the reindeer by name
    (they did, they all heard it, they all said the same!)

*  and Santa brought presents Dad said were expensive,
*  Mum wouldn’t allow a big mess that extensive
*  Mum doesn’t drink wine, and Dad doesn’t eat lucerne ...
    Undeniable proof, was the children’s conclusion!

They didn’t catch Santa (or see him) that night,
but they’ll try again - to the parents’ delight!


And it took years for the children to ask why Dad's hair was still dry if he had just been in the shower, and why was he wearing work boots???

[Vivienne]

WRITE RESOLUTIONS

"The Old Year fast is closing in, the New is looming nigh;
We must make resolutions, dear, e'er much more time goes by.

"I'll make a few suggestions which should help you write your list;
It's like a double-check, you see, lest something should be missed.

"Now, first of all, your study room: resolve to keep it clean;
And maybe you could spend less time before the T.V. screen.

"The table in the dining room is where we both should eat;
It's not for papers, pens and books, for filing incomplete.

"The soup you make called Pea and Ham, the dish which friends adore:
Next year try not to splash so much on windows, bench and floor.

"Another resolution: you could spend less on your grog;
On holidays the dollars saved could board the cat and dog.

"First thing each morn you read for hours the daily paper's news;
A reading course in speed might halve the time which you peruse.

"The hours thus saved you could resolve to spend attending me;
To take me out to dinner, or a movie we could see.

"They're just a few suggestions, dear – I hope I've had your ears!
Now I must write my new resolves; I'd welcome your ideas."

"Just one, my love, I beg of you, since you have thrown this flak:
I ask that you resolve next year to please get off my back!"

© Vivienne Ledlie

[Ric Raftis]

I'm adding this as a new post so it will show up when people visit next.

Please do not make any posts in the competition area commenting on poems entered in the competition.  As some of you may notice, I have deleted two posts, not because they are offensive in any way or inappropriate, but because I want to see this area left clean for the posting of competition poems.

If you wish to make comment on any of the poems entered, please wait until the comp closes and A. Judi Cater has published his/her comments and selected a winner.

[Bushland Jo']

Yuletide wishes

Copyright Bushland Jo' 2006

I wish for you Roast Turkey,
Cooked to great perfection,
A Christmas Tree quite perky,
To complete the celebration.

A Pudding lush and fruity,
Would any left over space dispel,
And a glass of something you fancy,
Could wash it down very well !

I wish for you the gift of health,
To follow you forthwith,
And then I think - my goodness !
What else can I give ?

There is a feeling quite divine,
That comes down from above,
And so I'll pass this on to you,
It is the gift of love.

[Bushland Jo']

Debatable convolutions

Copyright Bushland Jo' 2006

So what's the next year going to bring,
Fortunes great OR small ?
A voice inside my head does sing,
"Make no decisions at all" !
My Brain says give up smoking,
But this ties me up in a knot,
Just the very thought of this,
Puts me in a very hot spot !
Half my Brain says "yes you should,"
The other half says "don't you dare" !
I guess I'll fume 'tho it does no good,
Well ! who would give a care.

I'll tell myself I shouldn't shout,
At the Birds tweeting round the back door,
It really only comes to this,
I shouldn't feed them anymore !
But they ruffle their Feathers and bask in the Sun,
So who could resist their plaintive cries,
T'would tear at the Heart of anyone,
And I don't want to see their demise.
So next year I guess I'll restock with mince,
To top up their feeding tray,
And smile at the birds even though I might wince,
And wish them a beautiful day!

I really must not spend so much time,
Playing away on the Keyboard,
But household chores sadly are mine,
Though they cause me to feel so bored !
But this is my way, and I'll rue the day,
I can't sit down at my leisure,
So I'll cancel that thought and continue to play,
Because it gives me so much pleasure !
My thoughts keep on twisting in great convolution,
I really don't know what to do !
I'll just cancel my new resolutions,
And I'll bet, on the quiet, so will you !