(For my Mom Dorothy Burkhart, who made Christmas real to me.) No matter what you may believe, or not believe is real The story of Nativity, reveals our best ideals The Wisdom of the Magi and, the Innocence of child The gift of our Salvation, and the dream of Mercy mild The Miracle of virgin […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Ernie the Elf
Ernie the Elf was a grumpy old soul, all the stockings he hung always filled up with coal As he worked building toys with the elves in his guild, and he hammered and screwed and he glued and he drilled He lamented the fact that he had to build toys, for the ungrateful, bothersome world’s […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Then and Now”
Lowering war clouds, darkened sky, Grumbling, restless for the fray Humble men are heard to day… “Yes-man to a king? Not I. That was Boston Harbor. Men joined men to clear the mess; Rebel forged rebel, all of them Father, Mother, Daughter, Son… Fought together. That was the Alamo. A rising sun, a sleeping giant […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Did You Go Up the River?”
Did you go up the river? Did you put your feet on the deck? Did you feel the spray on your face? Did you feel the fear on your neck? For each, “rock and roll”, Over waters of brown. Life not a laugh, But tears on a frown. Ma Deuce the probe, From water to […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Where the Spirit Lies
It’s not about the presents, or the baubles or the bangles Or multi-colored lights, after they’re hung and un-entangled The egg-nog’s nice, but that’s not it, nor beef cut with a cleaver It’s not the Yorkshire pudding, and it’s not the chestnuts either I think it’s an idea, that’s wrapped up inside a feeling That […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: The Miracle Maker
I live in the light, of a flickering flame Long ago I had hopes, and had flesh and a name It’s been many years, since I met my reward And awakened aware, in the light of the Lord ‘Twas a cold Christmas Eve, when I breathed my last breath And I prayed to bring peace, […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: An Unseen Story of Christmas
As the mouse in the wall, poked his eye through the hole He saw Mother and Father inside Preparing the toys, and the cookies and milk For when Jolly St. Nick would arrive So he waited and watched, until they went to sleep He looked out to the left and the right And then finally […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Tim
Christmastime’s upon us, and as lighted trees appear The meaning’s getting lost to us, and won’t be found I fear The money spent on presents, and on gifts it seems defines What kind of Christmas people have, and hold inside their minds Let’s stop and read or watch the tale, which Charles Dickens told When […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Rings”
The weight grew heavy on the fingers. The ghost of love, once new, still lingers. Once they were bright, shiny, and new. Made by jewelers in sets of two. To first be blessed when hearts were united. Drawn together by the vows they recited. Near to their mates throughout the day, Feeling the love their […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Gifting
On this, “Rhyme and Reason’s” second day of Christmas, let’s discuss the phenomenon of gifting. Shopping for, giving and getting presents at Christmas time is an age old tradition, observed by more than just Christians this time of year. Every store in every mall, not to mention e-retailers, are inundated with shoppers, frantically looking […]