Christmas on the Streets of Johannesburg

Reality hits hard

No snow, no Santa,

No joy in that little face.

No presents, no love,

Of Christmas, there is no trace.

 

Starvation, Famine,

Death all around.

No signs of God

In their world to be found.

 

No parents, no presents,

Nothing to hold.

No home, no beds,

They’re left out in the cold.

 

Destruction and havoc

Reels through their lives.

From a young age,

Survival depends on their knives.

 

No understanding of

Baby Jesus born in a manger.

No safe place for them -

All they know is the danger.

 

Hatred and insecurity

Leads them astray.

They were never taught

How to kneel and pray.

 

No mistletoe, no Christmas tree

Nothing to decorate.

No happiness, no excitement,

They were bred to hate.

 

Sadness, ignorance,

Naivety galore.

The festive season

Exists in this world no more.

 

No Heaven, no angels

No one for them to be.

Another Christ-less day

For all the world to see.

 

 

Copyright©JosieWentzel09December2008

 

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

Powerful in so many respects. The colors and font suggest a happy Christmastime, yet the message is deeply poingnant and painful... Seems a good bit in spirit like the very first Christmas. Poor unwed mother forced to travel because of oppressive governement and must give birth in filthy stable... Not quite the shiney plastic nativity scene so many have on display...

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Congrats on this winning poem!