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The Rude Gift

by John G.Hall 

Posted: 19 December 2003
Word Count: 136
Summary: The Rood gift proves to be rude one Christmas eve...


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The Rude Gift

On Christmas day
under Christmas trees,
I searched the sky
for another star.

When I suddenly saw it,
through the tinselled heartaches
passed the lead soldier war memorial
and the fallen dolls mission house,
a carefully placed crucifix.

Neatly wrapped in the ninety second psalm
bound round tight with glittering wires
left bleeding in the fairy lights, as if
awaiting its maker’s macabre applause.

But I expected a little
something less wonderful
at least a little less suspicious.

So I quickly threw the crucifix on the fire,
watched flames catch in its out stretched arms.
Took a crown of golden paper for mine
and sat content before the charred relic.

Stuffing my stomach with the darkness of rum,
before the children tumbled down stairs
come looking for me and my crooked gift.

JGH(c)2003






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Comments by other Members



Elspeth at 13:57 on 19 December 2003  Report this post
Couldn't possibly claim to know anything about poetry, but really enjoyed this.
'Tinselled heartaches' grabbed me, as did the glittering wires 'bleeeding in the fairy lights'.
The Rood gift you mentioned in the title - I suspect I'm missing a connection (indeed, it's probably the whole point of the piece) so sorry.
But always nice to enjoy a piece that's a little more macabre at this time of year.
Katie

Tina at 09:52 on 05 January 2004  Report this post
John
I found this very moving - strong and vivid.
Not sure 100% about some of your images - 92nd psalm?
But a rude awakening for an overstuffed season.
Thanks
Tina


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