Christmas is coming and what can I write?
I’m upset by the news both in daytime and night.
Each Christmas I write down a poem with my thoughts,
They are usually merry, but this year they’re not,
For there are wars going on in so many places
And migrants are moving to unprepared nations.
Yes, people are moving, some good and some bad.
The severe ISIS problem has made trusting quite sad.
And then there are people who cannot find work.
A mega rich one percent has caused all this hurt.
Oh, it’s a conundrum; we used to make things,
But now they’re made elsewhere and no pay packet stings.
And our dirty oil, we dig up and take
Then move it through pipelines that are known to break.
There’s cracking and fracking without much concern
With hazards to health that we surely must learn.
The First Nation people, who once owned our land,
Try to stop Armageddon, as most understand,
But the young man in Ottawa meets China’s demand.
Then, there’s the climate, it just isn’t the same,
It’s too warm in some places and there’s often no rain.
And in others there’s flooding and strong, deadly winds.
To mention all problems – don’t know where to begin?
And now here comes Christmas, and a need to be cheery.
I must say something positive, but in truth I am weary.
Oh, what can I say; what; what must I impart?
What word will put Christmas back in everyone’s heart?
I’ve got it at last, only one word will do,
It’s needed for Christmas and all the year through.
Yes, it’s LOVE.
LOVE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL OF MANKIND.
LOVE THE EARTH, WATER, AIR AND WE’LL ALL MAKE OUT FINE.
Be brave, be strong and have a Merry Christmas 2016.
This year’s effort.
Elizabeth Hearn Milner
Aurora 1945-1965
Editor’s Notes: It became now a tradition that Elizabeth Hearn Milner writes us a poem each year. Elizabeth Hearn Milner grew up in Aurora from 1945 to 1965. She is a historian, a lecturer, a writer, and a painter. She has degrees from several universities and has taught for over 30 years. She wrote several books including Aurora 1945-1965, An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change and her latest Aurora Memories and More available from Aurora Historical Society (Hillary House) and at the Caruso and Co. both located at Yonge Street in Aurora ON.
