Saturday, December 14, 2013

Christmas Greeting--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Christmas Greeting

The sun woke on Christmas;
   David tumbled from his bed.
He scrambled down the stairs
   and ran past the sparkling tree.
He did not stop to check
   out the presents piled high.
David knelt before the stable
   his grandpa carved years before
And spread his favorite blanket
   out on the wooden floor.
He gently lifted the baby
   with his little toddler hands.
He swaddled the small figure
   in the flannel at his knees.
He hugged the Christ-like image
   in his short, chubby arms.
“Happy Birthday Jesus!”
   then sang the birthday song.


Karen O'Leary is a freelance writer/editor from West Fargo, ND.  Her poetry, short stories, and articles have been published in a variety of venues.  She released her first book of poetry in 2011 called Whispers... published by A.P.F. Publisher.  Their second project, Snippets...an anthology of short verse, contains poetry from 73 talented writers from across the world and was released in 2012.  Karen is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance and the Haiku Society of America. 

24 comments:

  1. Karen, beautiful poem. The timing is good too.

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  2. Dear Ndaba,

    Thank you for this lovely comment and your ongoing support. Your encouragement means a lot to me. It's writers like you that make Whispers possible. Merry Christmas!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  3. Thank you, Linda Hurdwell, for the following comment--

    How cute, these words represent a ‘real’ Christmas.

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  4. Dear Lin,

    Thank you so much for your lovely comment and your ongoing encouragement. It is people like you that make Whispers possible. Merry Christmas!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  5. Oh how delightful your poem. I could just picture the child so lovingly cradling the baby Jesus and singing Happy Birthday. Thank you for the sweet feeling I received as I read this precious poem.
    Love, Charlene

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  6. Dear Charlene,

    Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Glad you enjoyed the poem. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement. Merry Christmas!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  7. Dear Karen,
    God bless you for this reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. How refreshing it is to think young people understand that the birth of Christ is what we truly celebrate -- not gifts or toys. David is a bright, sensitive boy. What a wonderful poem! Love, Carolyn Devonshire

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  8. Dear Carolyn,

    You are such a light in my life, always encouraging me with your lovely comments and supporting me in other ways too. What a gift that is. Blessings to you too as we celebrate Christ's birth and the salvation of mankind. I appreciate this comment more than I can express. Thank you for all the wonderful comments you left for others today. You and others like you make Whispers possible.

    Karen

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  9. So sweet - a great visual bringing the reader into the scene with David. Christmas is a glorious time of year - as we all remember our Savior's Birth...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  10. Thank you so much for your kind words, Rhoda. What a blessing you are in my life. Have a wonderful Christmas my friend! I hope your New Year is filled with joy.

    Karen

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  11. And what a wonderful greeting this poem is. You express this so creatively. Thank you for sharing.

    -MJ

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  12. Dear Maurice,

    Thank you for your kind words. Wow! Just got back from celebrating Christmas with extended family to see all the wonderful comments you left for others. What a blessing your support and encouragement are. Have a wonderful New Year my friend!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  13. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following comment--

    I loved your heart-warming poem too, Karen. What a sweet picture that conjured up!

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  14. Dear Jack,

    Wishing you a wonderful New Year! Thank you for your kind comment and ongoing encouragement. Your support means a lot to me my friend.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. Thank you, Robert Dufresne, for the following comment--

    Karen, I read this one over several times and each time I felt and recognized "true Christmas" again. The innocence of the babe and the joy and innocence and glee of a toddler at JESUS come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven is made of such as these" and David sang out in the Joy and wisdom of the Babe. A beautiful title and a beautiful poem. Thanks for making my Christmas again.

    Bob D

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  16. Dear Bob,

    What a lovely comment. It means a lot to me. What a blessing you are here at Whispers. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Wishing a New Year filled with joy!

    Karen

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  17. Thank you, Eleanor Michael, for the following comment--

    Your poem creates an endearing image.

    Eleanor

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  18. Dear Eleanor,

    Thank you for your kind comment. You have been so good about supporting me over the years. It's so good to have you a part of Whispers.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  19. Thank you, Gerald Heyder, for the following comments--

    Dear Karen, thank you for enjoying my poem. Your poem, "Christmas Greeting," proves what real Christmas is all about thru' the innocence of a child. A great little poem!

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  20. Dear Gerald,

    Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  21. Thank you, Suzanne Clement, for the following comment--

    Karen-what a lovely way of conveying that Christmas is the Birth of Jesus!

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  22. Dear Suzanne,

    Thank you for your kind words. Jesus should be the center of the celebration--glad you feel that way too.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  23. Thank you, John Williams, for the following comments--

    This is a beautiful poem which creates a warm atmosphere of the purpose of Christmas. How wonderful and meaningful it would be if more people looked at Christmas through David's eyes. I am always inspired by your heartfelt words.

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  24. Dear John,

    For years we have been following each other's writing. I appreciate your kind words and all the encouragement you have given me in my writing journey. What a blessing you are my friend.

    Karen

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