There's no Doggerel category, so this has to go in 'Poetry.' Shameless plug for Christian Aid, but it's not my fault -- the greedy merchants have pushed me into writing this.
CHANGING THE SEASON
Every year it’s just the same
I don’t want to play this game
Buying things I'd rather not
Everything for them that's got
Charity? I’m on my way
A can of worms? For me? Okay!
A stethoscope for needy clinic
Will satisfy this whining cynic
To my neighbours I will gloat:
“This Christmas I received a goat!
Six hens I sent to Mozambique!”
(and watch them having fits of pique…!)
No more bath salts, cheap fruit jellies!
I'll put food in hungry bellies!
Most of Christmas ought to be
Selfless generosity
…Every year it’s just the same
Maybe we are all to blame
Maybe there's a better way
We can celebrate the day
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Written by shakermaker (48 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
Reminds me of a film/TV drama with, I think, Stephen Fry. He plays the "worst" dad in the world when at Christmas he hands his children and wife a piece of paper that says the money he'd have spent on them has been given to charity. He assured them it was the right thing to do as the best gift in the world was the "gift of giving". Tickled me anyway!
Call me selfish, but I don't know if I could go along with these sentiments of giving to others rather than my family. However, it's a nice piece and something to think about.Perhaps there's a hint of comedy in there too! |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
I've never gone so far as to stop giving everybody 'proper' gifts, but a friend and I have begun to exchange charity gifts. I felt so ashamed: last year she gave me half a goat, but all I got her was a can of worms.
Personally, I still like getting stuff -- of course we all do. No one is so virtuous as to not want anything for themselves. But I am appalled at how much my kids' friends seem to get -- their own computers, cell phones, DVD players, iPods. Our long-suffering kids have to make do on books and toiletries, and even if someone gave me a million pounds tomorrow, I'd still be a proud Oxfam shopper. And as much as I love my kids, I would not be rushing out to buy them their own computers. They can continue to fight me over this one.
The poem is supposed to be funny -- but I do think a lot of us could spend less on the fripperies of Christmas and more on the spirit of charity. |
Written by ellipinnock (1816 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
I've started buying charity gifts and my mother and I have a pact that one year everyone we know is getting them and we aren't going to buy anything else...I have been sorely tempted this year. So definitely not doggerel!
E |
Written by Phil (8763 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
Not doggerel at all. A worthy thing to write about and well put.
I've got my class making and selling Christmas cards to raise £38 to buy a goat (plus feed and vets fees for a year) for an African family. -forgotten the country! Maybe we'll buy two. Costing the school a fortune in card, but what the hell?
If you want to check it out, go to:
www.oxfamunwrapped.com/
All the best,
Phil. |
HI Witzl
Written by jean.day (2908 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
Our daughter bought her father a goat certificate last year for Christmas. I think she was disappointed that he didn't make a big deal out of it. I think it is the giver who gets the satisfaction out of the arrangement - and of course the village who get the goat.
We too go overboard on buying gifts at Christmas - but they are mostly practical things - which somehow makes us less guilty about spending the money on them.
Our son has asked us to buy a Wallami pine for his present this year - which he will present to an arboretum in America with his name on a plaque saying he donated it. Not quite like Africa, but quite a nice idea all the same. |
cash
Written by patterjack (1927 comments posted) 28th November 2006 |
With the exception of one grandchild -- we give them cash to spend as they wish -- and they are usually sensible with it .
The mother of the cashless one knows what he wants , and she gets it and gives it in our name
Our excuse -- we've been doing the Christmas thing for over fifty years , and its simplicity is the best way to go for us oldies , who are not fully au fait with the needs of the young .
patterjack |
Written by Talisker (1367 comments posted) 29th November 2006 |
I'm buying three goats, seventeen chickens, a water purifier, a plough and an ox to pull it - they should be delivered here next week.
Amazing what you can get in Argos.
Oli  |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 29th November 2006 |
What a great response I got to such a silly poem. Thank you, all.
I am struck with the idea of buying goats, chickens, ox, etc. at Argos. What a great t.v. commercial that would be! A family with spoiled brats in tow standing in line at Argos, purchasing livestock and agricultural machinery, then walking out the door into a tropical clearing, quickly handing over gifts to grateful recipients, everybody waving goodbye as the family walks through a cloud of mist into a rainy British street. The family would be clutching the gifts they received in return: flowers, a coil of sisal and a huge bunch of bananas. Great idea. |
Written by Fledermaus (4146 comments posted) 29th November 2006 |
| Clear message and well written. I liked it. Not much to add to what's already been said. |
Written by rach (36 comments posted) 13th January 2007 |
| i shamlessly bought my sisters bath salts and i still like the poem. They do some great bath salts on ebay by the way... |
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