ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

It's not something I do



Oh Christmas tree I’ve you retired, your use by date has long expired.
Your fancy glittery little balls will no longer deck my halls
for in a box somewhere they lay – they never see the light of day
and on my door to say G’day, a gum leaf Christmas wreath display.
I’m not a fan of Christmas time and neither are some friends of mine.
Far too many bad memories – completely stole the joy away
now I prefer to depart town, leave the frivolity around
the shopping malls, false Christmas cheer, the frazzled frowns ‘cause things are dear.
The screaming Mums and screaming kids – the local drunks all on the skids.
The traffic jams the parking lots where drivers seem to loose the plot.
The fake snow scattered everywhere and Christmas carols fill the air
Why does this not fill me with cheer – I see commercialism here.

But head out to the open plains – to clean fresh air, and scented rain.
Where Bellbirds song tinkles around, a natural and joyous sound.
Where Magpies, larks and whippoorwills are carolling on mornings still.
and puffy white clouds just like snow – festoon the heavens. Rightly so.
The smell of wood smoke scents the day the blackened billy boils away.
Fresh cooked damper scents the air – some spotted fallow deer are there
camouflaged beneath the trees – a little one on spindly knees
as if he too is bowed in prayer. The presence of the Lord is there.
Two dogs lie quiet by the Ute chewing on big bones they think beaut.
The only music, nature plays – the wind through gum leaves softly waves.
the shivery grass plays rifts and rills, a dingo sings up in the hills
the ewes chorus is softly heard – as to their lambs they spread the word.

Who needs the frills and fol de rol that envelopes us overall
at Christmas time and Easter too – that costs hard cash? I don’t - do you?
I much prefer things simpler – like the gold frankincense and myrrh
the wise men carried to the manger of the small child safe now from danger.
The golden wattle on the tree is a gift precious, there for me.
The scent of it is just divine – like frankincense or sweet white wine
and see the tea tree blossom white – each like a little star at night
its fragrant oil my first aid kit – Australian myrrh – I use each bit.
The bush provides my Christmas tree – festooned with blossoms merrily
dancing and jiggling in the breeze – what need have I of tinsel trees.
The decorations are supplied by Lorikeets and Yellow Eyes
or Currawongs whose glorious song has serenaded all day long.

I’m not a fan of Christmas time – or not the kind some find sublime
My jaded sensibilities are not entranced by plastic trees
My ears do not enjoy the notes of Christmas carols, or the gloats
of shop assistants as they say – Merry Christmas have a nice day.
when on the till the note you see TYFSAT - it spells hypocrisy
they couldn’t care a single jot if my day was nice or not.
So we’ll agree to disagree – if there are presents ‘neath your tree
and those you love, are there to share. Your near and dear are there to care.
But I much prefer natures gifts – these I enjoy, my spirit lifts.
My bank balance is not dismayed – I’ve received all for which I’ve prayed.
I’ve health, not wealth but happiness – by loving family I’m blessed.

There’s food upon the table still, a roof above, and I am still
possessed of all my faculties – I’ve friends that I know care for me
and these are gifts all beyond price – which I have all year round – how nice.
My country is not plagued by war, there’s much here to be thankful for.
I’m not held fast by Christmas thrall but wish peace and blessings for you all.

Maureen Clifford ©

You've summed it up beautifully Maureen. Forget the commercialism and stick to the simple pleasures in life. There is a lot to be grateful for.

Heather

It's just around the corner (sigh) and already the Christmas decorations are in the shops along with the glitzy overpriced Christmas hampers, the ads for expensive gifts that most parents can't afford and that will keep the kids occupied for nano seconds or until the batteries run out.

Once again purely because it is impossible to talk sense into some people (who won't/can't believe you when you say you don't want anything for Christmas) I find myself thinking of Christmas shopping - but refuse to give in...donations this year on behalf of family and friends to the new RSPCA shelter at Wacol will be the go. Blessed by Buddhist monks last week and due to be open by Christmas. They need to raise $2 million dollars - the floods here in Queensland set them on the back foot to the tune of $1 million dollars.


Beats the hell out of jocks and socks and powder and perfume as a worthwhile Christmas gift IMO. For the person who already has everything - or the one who is impossible to buy for - why not look at this as an option.

Cheers

Maureen

Ever since the kids were young we would put all the names in a hat and draw one name out ... and THAT was the person you would MAKE a gift for. Christmas Eve we would all sit and have a bang up meal.

The kids have all growed up and and moved away (well, some have anyway). For those here in Brissie, we still get together, still have the names in the hat. Only two differences. We usually have an orphan (or two) at our table and the overseas/interstate kids have to post their gifts in a tad earlier.

Oh, and the comment last Christmas was "... can't help but feel sorry for those 'seduced' by the glitz of Christmas".

Christmas? I love it! (and I STILL do all the cooking )

Glad to hear it Mannie and your Christmas sounds like ours used to be including the name in the hat - but over the years my lot have become totally dysfunctional and Christmas now equates for the most part to a bun fight and dissension - and any getting together seems to be just because it is expected, not because anybody gets any joy from it...so I choose to opt out. Let them as can - do. The ones in my family I care most about and who care about me are in contact all the time, and the others who are blow ins for the most part - well Christmas doesn't show them in a better light...despite the glitz and glitter.

I've come to dread Christmas and all the fuss and who does what. One of the best Christmases I had was in 2009 - the year of the bushfire and I was exhausted and just not in the mood. We went to Nagambie and had a picnic on the lake - just our family and the in-laws. It was sunny, with a breeze off the lake, relaxed and really, really pleasant....and it is the Christmas I remember from the past 10 years.

One year I was in New Zealand for a holiday the week before Christmas and it was quite surreal watching everyone running around shopping like chooks without heads and not being part of it.

I'm on your side Heather. I dread Christmas. If I have to listen to one more chorus of " The Little Drummer Boy" I think I might scream..ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh