Poetry Sunday

The gifts have been unwrapped, the egg nog has been drunk, the ham/turkey/goose has been eaten, and Christmas is over for another year. Today we celebrate the Second Day of Christmas, or Boxing Day, or whatever ... the final gasp of the beloved holiday for another year.

This year, as in all years, I sent out cards to some of our friends and letters to others, because it's a tradition and because who doesn't like to get something in the mail that comes from the heart and not from the creditor? Those of you who received my annual Christmas letter know my style: long and chatty, filled with the sort of things I think each of you would care about hearing. I love to write letters, but because they tend to be long and carefully crafted, many of you only get them at this one time of the year ... particularly if you don't usually write back (wink, hint, nudge).

Those letters were my holiday finger to Mr DeJoy and the mess he has made of our beloved Postal Service. Perhaps the new year will bring us a new postmaster more in the mold of Benjamin Franklin than of Wreck-It Ralph.

Here is the last poem for the year, appropriate to my thoughts at this time ...

Christmas Mail

By Ted Kooser

Cards in each mailbox,

angel, manger, star and lamb,

as the rural carrier,

driving the snowy roads,

hears from her bundles

the plaintive bleating of sheep,

the shuffle of sandals,

the clopping of camels.

At stop after stop,

she opens the little tin door

and places deep in the shadows

the shepherds and wise men,

the donkeys lank and weary,

the cow who chews and muses.

And from her Styrofoam cup,

white as a star and perched

on the dashboard, leading her

ever into the distance,

there is a hint of hazelnut,

and then a touch of myrrh.

Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your Christmas weekend, whether you celebrate Christmas or some other seasonal holiday. Stay safe, stay healthy, think about others, and enjoy the company of family and friends at this reflective time of the year.

More thoughts coming. 

Bilbo