Category: Christmas

Christmas, commenced in agrarian simplicity a manger with animals and shepherds and the birth of a first child. – Is there any better gift for hopeful parents? Now it is an industry controlled by retail, aided and abetted by aligned commerce : accommodation, airlines and hospitality. Christmas is a small volume, more a scattering of experiences of what might be called the Christmas spirit. First published in 2016, Christmas is like the eponymous decorations – carefully taken down and stowed away, until next year.

Posted in Christmas

Off Duty (Part 3)

Posted on by tq1695

When to speak up?
I felt a little chastened by my brother’s indifference
then moved by the big guy’s take on egalitarianism
had decided to say nothing,
then valour thought better of discretion.

I tell him it’s a really good thing they’re doing
“mate,” he booms,
tone and volume seldom heard in a hospital
“ I’m really pleased to be able to do this ”
then waves an arm around
“ it’s not just me mate,
its these guys too,
they raised the money to pay for it,
a year’s work mate –
a year of sausage sizzles, bar raffles, quiz nights,
I’m really proud of them.”

Posted in Christmas

Off Duty (Part 2)

Posted on by tq1695

It’s almost always possible to pick the person in charge, even when
looking incongruous, 
out of place
and bedecked with soft toys.

Woodsman forearms
solid and
tattooed
shoulders and chest of a professional footballer
voice deep, and pack a day –
this man works for a living.
He looked fancy dressed, bedecked with soft toys.

“There ya go mate, for ya wee girl.”

My brother never did diplomacy
and this was no different
but he didn’t mean offence either
and none was taken
his cheerful gruffness, endearing and aside pushing,
neutrality the result, always.
“ It’s okay pal, she’s got plenty of toys –
give it to someone who needs it.”

The big guy said,
“ mate I’d really appreciate it if you’d take it,
that way all the kids get one, and nobody feels poor.”