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This Poem was Submitted By: Joan M Whiteman On Date: 2006-12-12 09:44:42 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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The Nights Before Christmas

There are too many lights. The street is bright as Broadway. This time around they have gone too far, spending even still-buried coal. There is no call to peace or silent wonder. Like needles in eyeballs the message turns to pain when lights scream rather than sing. Hope goes beyond a prayer for one burnt out bulb.

This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2007-01-07 08:57:49
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Joan, I'm sorry this poem has not been received better. It should have been given more acclaim than it has. But truthful as your message is, it is not falling well upon those most concerned with heeding it. Indeed it is too timely, too true and doesn't hang on a Christmas tree as much of an adornment. What an irony...too needed to say. Except for you and peeping me. Exquisite in understatement, your poem is exceptional.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Ellen K Lewis On Date: 2007-01-04 20:48:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.92857
Hello, Joan. I can really appreciate your comments in this poem. It's great to read something 'different' about Christmas! After awhile it all gets kind of 'mushy' and more than unreal.. I like the freestyle way you did this. It works. I was going to comment on how much I liked the first verse; but truely I like them all. And the ending is good too. It's just a delightful little poem! Thank you for sharing it with us! Ellen

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-12-31 01:15:53
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Joan, Count that "two burned out bulbs". Yes, I have to agree, it is all way out of control and really detracts from the spirit of the season. Everyone I seem to talk to this year feels the same, we need some good old fashioned Christmas', the kind where presents are made instead of bought and a wish means more than a gift. God Bless, Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2006-12-26 18:28:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Joan, This is quite lovely. The lights are bright and harsh actually. They shout of commercialism. They flaunt their brightness wanting the most attention. 'You are so right, there are so important peace matters that need addressing, and prayers. You may be a soft burning bulb burnt out on all these social ailments. No consideration to economics of energy. Wasteful in every way it matters. You throw a most beautiful light my dear. I'd love to know you. Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2006-12-13 15:05:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Joan...this poem really made me stop and think as I read through it the first time and again the second time. How can we have a "Merry Christmas" when the sky that holds "the star" is falling down around us? You are right the wonderment we all use to feel when the world was at peace is with us no more. Hopefully the little children still feel the wonder and excitment. We have lost the true meaning of Christmas and we may never get it back. This is a well written poem, powerful and evocative. Your last stanza stopped me cold. You have a winner here! Blessings....Marilyn

This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2006-12-13 00:52:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Here, here! or is it Hear, hear! ? Marry Christmas.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2006-12-12 21:13:23
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Poet this one takes a second reading and perhaps even more as the images grab hold........the emotions are deeply felt in the closing stanza.......The Nights Before Christmas is a fitting title and the presentation is well done. Thank you for posting, taking the time to share perhaps if the entire world would join together in prayer peace around the world may be had and our men and women able to come home to share in the Light of this Christmas season. God Bless, Claire

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