The Christmas Gift
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:57 pm
This is an old one not sure if it was ever posted before.
It's a true story - Terry
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
That Christmas seemed a little grim, the outlook pretty bleak,
the opal gods had turned their backs - had done so all that week.
A little patch of opal now would ease their fiscal pain
and help to tide them over, until good times came again.
Tomorrow would be Christmas and their cupboard was near bare,
a rusty can of Heinz baked beans was all that's left in there.
The two young mates though down on luck still worked a solid day
and set a final blasting once they’d cleared the dirt away.
Then headed into town to spend the last few bob they had,
they’d only get necessities as things were now quite bad.
There’d be no fancy food or drinks to offer Christmas cheer;
no midday roast and pudding, or a special toast with beer.
Next morning saw them readying to catch up with a mate,
who was as broke as they were, but would share their meager plate.
And though the meal was plain; as far as Christmas feasting goes,
the day was still enjoyable despite impending woes.
Some card games helped to pass the hours and added to the fun,
the mate then told their fortunes, dealing cards out one by one.
Foretelling of a change of luck that soon will head their way
and they should go and check their mine for opal there that day.
Although good-natured laughter greeted comments that he made,
they headed out to have a look, at least there’d be some shade.
The day was hot and stifling as they reached their Flat Hill mine,
their York hoist stood there proudly, somewhat like a metal shrine.
They quickly clambered down the shaft to coolness down below
and then switched on their makeshift lights, that gave a golden glow.
Long drives stretched out into the gloom where shadows danced about
and eighty feet down underground shuts outside noises out.
They made for where the shot had been and brought along a light
and stood there in their disbelief at such a wondrous sight.
Large seams of brilliant opal were now showing in the face,
their eyes were bright and shiny as they stared into that space.
Here opals flashing red with greens and sparkling gold and blue
and all the colours known to man were laid out there on view.
This Christmas had bestowed a gift of beauty bright and rare,
just at a time when all seemed lost - the opal gods played fair.
******
© T.E Piggott
It's a true story - Terry
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
That Christmas seemed a little grim, the outlook pretty bleak,
the opal gods had turned their backs - had done so all that week.
A little patch of opal now would ease their fiscal pain
and help to tide them over, until good times came again.
Tomorrow would be Christmas and their cupboard was near bare,
a rusty can of Heinz baked beans was all that's left in there.
The two young mates though down on luck still worked a solid day
and set a final blasting once they’d cleared the dirt away.
Then headed into town to spend the last few bob they had,
they’d only get necessities as things were now quite bad.
There’d be no fancy food or drinks to offer Christmas cheer;
no midday roast and pudding, or a special toast with beer.
Next morning saw them readying to catch up with a mate,
who was as broke as they were, but would share their meager plate.
And though the meal was plain; as far as Christmas feasting goes,
the day was still enjoyable despite impending woes.
Some card games helped to pass the hours and added to the fun,
the mate then told their fortunes, dealing cards out one by one.
Foretelling of a change of luck that soon will head their way
and they should go and check their mine for opal there that day.
Although good-natured laughter greeted comments that he made,
they headed out to have a look, at least there’d be some shade.
The day was hot and stifling as they reached their Flat Hill mine,
their York hoist stood there proudly, somewhat like a metal shrine.
They quickly clambered down the shaft to coolness down below
and then switched on their makeshift lights, that gave a golden glow.
Long drives stretched out into the gloom where shadows danced about
and eighty feet down underground shuts outside noises out.
They made for where the shot had been and brought along a light
and stood there in their disbelief at such a wondrous sight.
Large seams of brilliant opal were now showing in the face,
their eyes were bright and shiny as they stared into that space.
Here opals flashing red with greens and sparkling gold and blue
and all the colours known to man were laid out there on view.
This Christmas had bestowed a gift of beauty bright and rare,
just at a time when all seemed lost - the opal gods played fair.
******
© T.E Piggott
Good one Terry. A message of hope, for Christmas.