The wind was howling as rain pelted upon the miserable heap.
Suddenly chilled, I tried to fend off the torrent with my umbrella.
I wondered as I passed by if the heap was a woman or a man.
No need to ponder, whomever, he was a miserable fella.

Thank God I'm not lying there, nor one of my children or kin.
It disturbed me to see this heap of humanity at rock bottom.
Oh well, I was too busy, shopping for Christmas is quite a chore.
Preparing for such a large family, one has to start in Autumn.

Cards & letters still to do, yet the heap kept entering my thoughts.
Maybe it was because he was such a pathetic lump of humanity.
Why should I worry? It wasn't by force, he chose to be there.
If indeed the heap is a man, I wonder if he still has his sanity?

Sometimes I think none of us do when we let tradition control us,
each demanding season growing more tainted as years pass on.
Expensive, time wasting gadgets our children think they need,
to be accepted; poor heap, he has no choice of what to don.

I must concentrate on the present so I can complete my tasks!
Ah! That's it, a present, I must buy something for the heap!
But what should I get? Perhaps something to keep him warm.
I must see if he's still there, if not, at least I tried not to be cheap!

Oh, I must finish the grocery list, I have a big dinner to prepare.
The family will be expecting a special meal with all the trimming.
At last, the tasks are completed! Bulbs on the tree are brightly
reflecting the multicolered lights. Outside I hear carolers singing.

Away in the manger.. little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
Where is the heap lying? It's odd that carol reminded me of him.
My thoughts turned to Jesus, how he was born and rejected,
just as the heap. I must find him before the lights are too dim.

Retracing my steps, I found where he lay. Gone! Where too?
Was he alive? Looking closer I saw a cross where he did lie.
Crushed, I remembered, "In as much as ye have done it unto
others...the heap! Lord, forgive me, for passing you by.

| Return to Poetry Index |
| Seniors-Site Homepage | E-Mail | Site Master |