47 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2024

 

I'm going to be totally honest. This may have been one of, if not the toughest Christmas poem to write. I honestly wasn't certain up until a week ago if this would be the year that the annual tradition would end.

Sleep has been difficult as my mood has alternated between depression and rage at what the next four years could be like. Every movie cliché that shows the bad guys winning has played out in my mind. A line that has played repeatedly was from Revenge of the Sith with Senator Padmé Amidala stating, "So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause" as the Empire rises and the Republic falls. It seemed to me that the well-financed plans of those craving power had won out and that suffering was going to rule the day.

But another phrase also made itself present in my mind; "These are the times that try men's souls," written by Thomas Paine who has a statue right here in my city of Bordentown, NJ. He wrote these words just before Christmas, 1776 as the American Revolution was going very badly for George Washington's army. As his army was falling apart, General Washington read these words to his troops from The American Crisis on December 19th to rally and inspire them. He then planned out an attack of the Hessian barracks in Trenton, NJ on Christmas that had no business succeeding. The rest is history... our history.

The spark of love and goodness will always remain lit in people's hearts regardless of those who very intentionally cheer hatred and prejudice. Let us choose to stand with "them," whoever is being targeted. This world has seen what happens when that energy runs rampant and it isn't pretty. Let us take example from the father of this country and stay strong this Christmas. Keep the faith alive.

Christmas 2024

By Richard Perrotti

 

Christmas night, 1776

T’was a time that would try a man’s soul

Freezing drizzle turned to a nor’easter

Losses had taken their toll

 

Three armies were scheduled to cross that night

O’er the Delaware cluttered with ice

Only one would succeed, over three hours late

Would Washington thus pay the price?

 

George Washington’s men in the months before

Had suffered ignominious defeat

Morale was sagging, the ranks were thinning

Thus Christmas would take a backseat

 

Deserters and spies had let it be known

That Trenton would soon be attacked

The Hessians looked at the fierce Christmas storm

And chose no defense to enact

 

One small choice, one brave stance

Started momentum to swing

Thus altering the course of this nation

And eventually toppling a King

 

Our country has tangled with villains before

And surely will do so again

Causing heroes to arise unexpectedly

Rallying all good women and men 

 

Choose not to surrender this Christmas

Your hopefulness, spirit and love

Like George, it takes but one victory

To invoke aid and grace from above

 

For though your heart may feel heavy

As you witness pure avarice and lies

Remember that miracles do happen

And that lead balloons truly can fly*

 

*Search “Mythbusters lead balloon” on YouTube

46 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2023

 

I think we've all been through challenges at times. A life without contrast is one that fails to prompt decisions that lead to growth. These challenges can come at any and every stage of one's life and at any time of the year. It gives you pause. You can ask yourself, "What now?"

That question opens the door to new possibilities, seeing things differently and the opportunity for growth. That is what I was considering as this year's poem came to me. Am I aware of what I am aware of, what I'm focusing on? Anyone who has ever driven knows that when your attention gets diverted while behind the wheel that your car will go in that direction unless you snap to and realize what's happening, resume being present in the moment.

There is always obvious and plentiful good that surrounds us. We just simply need to be aware of it and focus on the positive while understanding that in a universe of infinite variety, the opposite of that will also always exist. Make better choices for yourself and your life story will benefit. Bless everyone else for doing the best that they can with the choices that they are also free to make. I feel that is the best that can be done and it is enough.

Please have a wonderful holiday season.

Christmas 2023

By Richard Perrotti

 

Oft times you might feel uncertain,

Of what anything’s truly about.

Even when love ought to be flowing,

You still might feel clouded by doubt.

 

This perception is far from uncommon,

Throughout our whole universe.

Where anything and everything

Can be viewed as both blessing and curse.

 

The story surrounding King Herod

At the time of Jesus’ birth

Was he ordered the slaughter of innocents,

And unleashed great anguish on earth.

 

Doesn’t this ring so familiar,

As we gaze at our world torn by war?

Our focus on this fosters sadness

But within your heart there’s a cure.

 

Some celebrate the holidays grandly.

Others stage a violent coup.

Know that many of the truths we cling to

Depend greatly on our own point of view.

 

Understand, if you can, that you live in

Infinite, unlimited variety.

There’s always going to be choices,

To focus, experience and thus be.

In our world we celebrate Christmas

At the darkest time of the year.

Thus, our decorative lights shine their brightest,

Inspiring warmth and good cheer

 

Shine your light on the good that surrounds you,

On what others might fail to see.

Feel the joy that this will bring you.

It’s the most precious gift under the tree.

45 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2022

 

All of us go through periods of transition in our lives. That is normal as we walk our path and author our life/story. Sometimes they can be virtually effortless while other times, quite the opposite. With everything that is occurring with me right now, I had serious doubts that I was going to catch the inspiration for this year's poem and even if I did, would I have the time to actually get it down, produce my cards etc.

When I write the first line that "this didn't come in the usual way," that is true. A few days ago, I was sitting to write a page in my journal, something that I do each morning to center myself and prepare to experience the best day possible. As I wrote the normal intro, the next words were "Well, why don't you write the poem here in your journal?" And so I did and for the first time ever, these six verses flowed through me onto the page with no effort, no editing. That had never happened before but now I can say I've experienced what true channeling feels like. I like it and I hope you do as well.

Christmas 2022

By Richard Perrotti

 

This didn’t get done in the usual way

But is any way usual anymore?

Through traditions we try to keep them alive

Comparing now against the past, keeping score

 

Perspective is a gift or a curse it seems

A lens on our own unique view

And as much as we try to remain satisfied

We’ll lock on to something askew

 

It can be minor like a star on a tree

That isn’t sitting quite right

A little adjusting, a quick step back

And all now seems well in our sight

 

But a larger step back is needed

Adjusting one’s view from the heart

Is there really a “war on Christmas”?

Where did this dark notion start?

 

We live in a world that’s grand and diverse

Teeming with all aspects of life

As you walk through your world, your present, your now,

Why choose darkness over light?

 

Hold on to what’s precious but also remember

That change is the way of the world

Focus on the best, choose love over hate

And a path of peace shall be unfurled

44 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2021

One of the first events we went to in the fall in this strange new world that we inhabit was the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia, PA. Inside we toured the artist's timeline of his life and work and were struck by the precarious balance that he was navigating between his artistic pursuit of perfection and madness.

The grand finale was sitting inside the theater auditorium and being literally immersed in his art and story. The photo on the cover of the card was taken inside the space. It was almost overwhelming and touched me deeply. I had no idea that it would inspire the theme of this year's poem until I sat to write and these ideas came spewing out in verse.

I hope that you find a note of beauty and balance in your own holiday season as we continue to navigate between peace and madness. I truly believe that we all come out stronger in the end.

Peace to you and yours. All is well.

Christmas 2021

By Richard Perrotti

 

The painter positioned his canvas

As the night sky beckoned afar.

How best to depict what he’s seeing,

To capture an avenue of stars?

 

He’d attempted, he’s tried to do this before;

Not once had it turned out quite right.

This time he determined to paint it

In the very best possible light.

 

What are you seeing? His inner voice asked,

Or better yet, what do you feel?

Are you looking to dance with the infinite

Or grasping to capture what’s real?

 

“I don’t know,” he honestly answered.

“I’m really not sure what I see.

It appears as such for an instant

Then shifts like a turbulent sea.”

 

Know this, his muse did advise him,

You must let yourself off the hook

You’re trying to capture perfection

As if following rules in a book

  

You act like your life is a lesson

That you ought to have taken to heart.

But creation has always been messy

And regret has no place in your art

 

Love simply lights one more candle

While anger keeps cursing the dark.

Let love’s light illumine your painting

And you’ll find that you’ve left quite the mark.

 

We paint on a canvas called Christmas

And struggle to get it just right.

Be still and hear what’s within you.

See it in the best possible light.

 

For love is truly the present

And the present is always here/now.

It’s the gift that always keeps giving

For as long as we accept and allow.

 

43 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2020

 

The note on the back of this year's card reads as such: "What really can be said about a year such as this? It will be as you see it and grow into legend with each retelling and remembrance. Legends tend to have staying power and a long reach. Make it a good one!

Peace and prosperity, Rich"

After losing the first three weeks of December to the virus, I was astonished at what I had lost as far as mental acuity. I truly didn't know if the spark to do a poem this year would return. But my truth is that I always bounce back and I held dear to that and let doubt slip away. It may be a minor victory among all of the personal battles so many are waging but I could feel good about it and that's what turned out to be the most important thing. That became my pearl of wisdom and inspired this year's (albeit late) Christmas poem. My hope is that you find your own inspiration somewhere along your journey.

Christmas 2020

By Richard Perrotti

 

“Time is the great stealer,” he told me

It will rob you of all you hold dearly.”

But time is also the great healer, I replied,

Offering the chance to see things more clearly.

 

“Look at the star blazing brightly above us.

Magnificent! And not really a star.”

Exactly, I said, just two planets aligning

And our unique point of view from afar.

 

“You’re deluding yourself,” he muttered

The world’s filled with sorrow and pain.

Look around at everything missing

That can never be cherished again.”

 

Consider this, I requested

Every thought requires a host

To give it life and to spread it

‘Else it withers and dies like a ghost.

 

Everything that’s ever been in this world

Remains in some altered form.

For what is a pearl in an oyster

But a grain of sand reborn?

 

A child will grow and stretch towards the sky

While feeling some pain from that growth.

Yet he’ll exalt at his world expanding.

It’s not one or the other. It’s both.

 

“But darkness seems to surround us,” he said.

I’m exhausted from this terrible fight.”

Then release the struggle. Surrender, I said

And you’ll find that you turn towards the light.

 

With that the darkness just lifted

And the feeling of light flooded down.

If you focus on something that’s missing,

You will never see what’s been found.

 

42 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2019

Here is the handwritten note that I included in my cards this year. It says it all in terms of how long and exhausting it was to express the sentiment in the way that I wanted. It's dated 12/22/19, the day that I finally completed the poem.

"I just wanted to share a short note with you about this year's poem, one of them that took a long time to wrote. This is the 42nd version of an idea that started in my mother's kitchen back in 1978. Some years they have flowed easily from my pen. This was not one of those years. Like the poem explains, you can focus on the good and soar or focus on the fall and despair. For too long, I was feeling what the fall was all about... until I didn't. There is good all around. Find it and it will 'open your wings again.'

With love,
Rich"

Certainly not the best worded note but it expressed the process all too well. I wish you and yours peace and happiness in 2020 and the very merriest of Christmases.

41 Years of Christmas Poems: Christmas 2018

Some years, the process takes longer than others. 2018 was such a year.

Having shifted into a world of active training on technology and sales, December was a non-stop hotbed of activity. Even though I knew exactly what I wanted to write about in the poem, finding the time and the energy was a real challenge. I'm sure no one can appreciate what I'm talking about, right? ;-)

All-nighters are getting harder as I move down the timeline of life. Finishing this in the wee-morning hours of 12/21 and finding myself mailing the bulk of the cards out at 4 a.m. on the 24th, I certainly can appreciate what parents go through with trying to get the kids to bed on Christmas Eve and then wrapping presents on little sleep only to awaken to the wonder of delighted shrieks just a scant few hours later.

With that, I send this poetic child of mine out into the world. From my heart to all of yours, Merry Christmas and best wishes for peace and prosperity in 2019.

Christmas 2018

By Richard Perrotti

Christmas engages our senses

With wonderful sights and sounds.

Scents that delight and entice us

To taste (and pack on the pounds!)

An overlooked aspect of the season

Is the tactile, the texture of real.

So consider this holiday question –

Christmas: how does it feel?

The chameleon of this wintry season

Is the snow that falls from the sky.

Delicate it floats on the breezes.

Hard and blackened on the ground by and by.

Pine needles are resinous and sticky,

Making their point when touched.

Yet on these rough limbs, we adorn them

With ornamental memories well clutched.

Those baubles can be glass or golden

Newly purchased or passed down through time.

Crafted by past generations

Preserving moments, loving and sublime.

Both smooth and crunchy is garland,

Tinsel that shines on the tree.

Brushy, teeming with color,

Draped like smiles of holiday glee.

The cookie really does crumble

As you roll it about in your hand.

Turning your five faithful fingers

‘To a colorfully crumby fairyland.

The last stop of this tactile journey

Is the texture of a real human heart.

Look deep past the muscle and sinew.

Find the place where true feelings start.

For to touch someone’s heart is a miracle.

In a flash, pain and sorrow can heal.

It’s the one place to answer the question;

Christmas: how does it feel?