Eneh Akpan Writes: December 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Guest Blog: Christmas Gifting by Christine Cassello

At last, a piece of poetry with a focus on the Christ of Christmas.

Christine Cassello’s poem reminds us why we celebrate. We need to celebrate the Christ-He is God's greatest gift to the world.

Shepherds wondered the reason why

Angelic beings lit up the sky.

One told them of a newborn boy,

Who would bring all people joy.

They received specific detail,

So they would know the little male.

The stars had never shown as bright,

As they did that Christmas night.

One star shown with great precision.

Magi understood that vision.

Across the desert, these men came,

Bringing gifts to show their acclaim.

We give gifts to one another,

Friend and neighbor, sister, brother.

What you do for the least of these,

You do for me,. Jesus sees.

So give your gifts in Jesus' name.

Not for glory, nor for fame.

Author's Bio

I turned 67 years old on February 14. I've been single and childless all of my life but have "mothered" many pets. Having grown up as a Christian, I did not have a difficult life and lived with my parents until they died. Now, I am working on my childhood passion and hope to make a reputation for myself as a children's book author.

I have an Ebook out, THE HUNTER AND THE DEER, original fairy tale and story poems for children and adults. My first publication was a short story in Knowonder Magazine in 2000 and a fairy tale poem in Bumples (online only).

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Like Mama

Happy Birthday, Mma!

How I love to love

The love that raised a stud.

Mama’s gentle hands gave me a rub

Yeah, her laps were my first tub.

I walked through a valley dug by fear,

Mama was true like a love waiting there,

With arms opened wide she did me bear.

Hushed my sighs and mopped up my baby tear.

Passionate, compassionate, she thrives on it;

My Shelter, my Teacher, my Fair-Weather.

She made me a best-selling story

Ain’t nobody showed me love like mama.

In sickness and in stress mama

Felt my affliction, shared my blues.

Her breasts totally nourished this brother

Ain’t no one could be faithful like mama.

I know the storms still will rant and rave,

Just the thought of her will be my guarantee.

If I can't hold back the rain

Still I'll stand strong just listening to a memory.

Passionate, compassionate, she thrives on it;

My Shelter, my Teacher, my Fair-Weather.

She made me a best-selling story

Ain’t nobody showed me love like mama.

Eneh

Monday, December 23, 2013

Guest Blog: Christmas 2013 by Vicki E. Case

I’m honored to feature the Australian poet, Vicki E. Case. Vicki delivers a heart-wrenching Christmas poetry about her personal experience. I leave you in her care for the next three minutes or so.

Courtesy: christmasgrotto.co.uk

Christmas day and the Christmas festive season is a joyous time when families reunite and enjoy time together. They laugh, eat too much, give gifts of thanks and relish their short time together.

Unfortunately, not everyone is the world are as lucky as some. The world is ravaged with war, famine and a multitude of lonely people who will not experience any of the joy that this time of the year is meant to bring.

One such person this Christmas 2013 is a lonely and heartbroken poet who, for reasons still unknown to her, lost the love of her life and soul-mate in October 2011 when he simply walked away. Whilst words flow like a raging river throughout the year depicting powerful prose of love and being loved, it is this time of the year when her words reflect her solemn and lonely state of mine and the bright shining light she still holds in her heart that one day he will find his way back to her.

This time three years ago

For Christmas day

I gave you a gift and card

Within which I had to say

I told you I loved you

I told you I care

Enclosed chocolates and a rose

And asked with me you share

This year I can’t however

Because you cut me loose

You left me feeling

Feeling like a stupid goose

My love hasn’t waned

My feelings haven’t gone

It’s with you and you alone

With whom I belong

This Christmas Day

You’ll be on my mind

One day in the future

Me again; I pray you find

About Vicki:

So many great poems and verse have been written to date, reflecting all that is great about Christmas. But for the ‘Aussie Poet of Love’ her words crave for the man who won her heart, stole her soul and then walked away, leaving only an SMS without a reason for his departure. Despite three Christmas’s since she lost him, the words contained in her Christmas prose still depict the hole in her heart that has been left by his loss.

Website:

Vicki’s Website

Books by Vicki E. Case

Forever Love

Love is Eternal

A Journey of Hurt; Captured in Ink

Unconditional Forbidden Love

Friday, December 20, 2013

Guest Blog: Do You Hear What I Hear? by Jada Solaita

Courtesy: keanxchange.com

My guest blogger today is Jada Solaita, an upcoming poet. Jada has drafted a really touching poem about a young girl who feverishly awaits the visit of Santa Claus in the still of the night.

All was quite in the little house,

You couldn't even hear the sound of a mouse

Christmas was coming,

It would soon be here

and so would Santa with eight flying reindeer

I woke with a jolt,

"Did you hear that?"

I said, as I rubbed the fur of my small cat

I wanted to know what was the matter?

What could be causing all that clatter?

I rose from bed, with the speed of light

I couldn't let Santa get out of sight

I ran down the stairs as quick as can be

But all that was there were just presents

He had left under our tree

How could I miss him,

How could it be?

How fast can an old man

With eight reindeer flee?

I looked around sadly seeing just crumbs on a plate

I must have come down a little too late

But, soon my heart filled with a blossom of glee

As I saw a small note addressed directly to me

It was just lying there next to the tree

It said, "Thank you for the cookies and milk,

Now go look in your stocking made of silk"

I looked inside and what did I see?

A tiny baby doll just for me.

A faint little jingle I heard from afar

Merry Christmas, Santa where ever you are

Author’s Bio

As an aspiring writer and poet I get my inspiration to write through life lessons. Things that have happen to me in my past or things I hope for in the future.

Thank you for allowing me to share my love of writing with others.

— Jada Solaita

~GreenEyedGirl~

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Guest Blog: A Soldier's Christmas by Ken

This is poetry by a guy I met on Writing.Com; a Vietnam War veteran. He goes by the pen name HuntersMoon.

Enjoy!

A foot-tall artificial tree -

a decorated memory

of time spent with a family -

stands by his dusty bed.

A Christmas card sits underneath

with a bright yellow ribboned wreath.

A printed sign stands in relief –

“Daddy, come home soon.”

The gifts from home he’ll get this year

won’t fill his mind with Christmas cheer

though, for a moment, they’ll feel near.

He holds them in his heart.

He remembers carols that they sing

but knows the gift he’s offering

finds meaning in “Let freedom ring.”

He proudly stands his post.

It’s times like this that make him sad.

He should be home; husband and Dad

are parts of life that make him glad.

Such is his sacrifice.

For just a moment, his eyes tear

but in his mind, his vision’s clear

to keep his loved ones free from fear.

He straightens up with pride.

He whispers a familiar prayer

asking for God’s love and care

as he grips tight the cross he wears.

He heads out on patrol.

Afghanistan, the DMZ,

dozens of places we don’t see,

freedom’s gift is given free;

each soldier pays the price.

At home, another holiday

explaining why Dad is away.

“He’ll be home soon,” Mothers say.

Someday, perhaps, for good.

God bless those who serve

and the families that wait for their return.

Author’s Bio

I actually wrote this about me - thinking back to my first Christmas in Vietnam. It was an unhappy time but I believed in what I was doing (Little did I actually know *Laugh*)

You may feel free to use it in your blog ... Thank you for honoring me and the many who serve.

—Ken

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Guest Blog: A Little Christmas Fun by Regina Puckett

I requested for Christmas poems from guest bloggers and here’s the first one up by author and poet, Regina Puckett. It’s a short poem that touches on about everything the season stands for. Thanks, Regina for giving this poem to the world!

Courtesy: missmadeblog.com

Across the world there are eager girls and boys

Waiting for Santa’s arrival with his bag of toys

Long lists scribbled, letters written, stamped and mailed

Cookies baked, milk poured and stockings carefully nailed

Mothers kiss and gently tuck each and every child into bed

Leaving them with dreams of Christmas frolicking in their head

Out in the crisp December air Santa soars through the sky

Twinkling stars and the man on the moon waves as he flies by

Because this one day of every year the entire world becomes one

Wishing for peace on world, goodwill to all men and a little Christmas fun

Author's Bio
Regina Puckett is an award nominated author for her short story, Balloon Wishes.

Author Regina Puckett

Borrowed Wings, has received the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

Memories won first place in the 1st WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her book of poetry, Tilting at Windmills and Words.

Slowly Drowning won second place in the 3rd WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her poetry book, My Words into the Beyond.

Sir Galahad Comes to the Rescue won third place in the 3rd WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her book of poetry, Ramblings and Dreams.

She has been writing for over forty-five years. She lives in Tennessee with her husband of over forty years. She has two grown daughters and four grandchildren.

She writes sweet romances, horror, inspirational, picture books and poetry. There are several projects in various stages of completion and there are always characters and stories waiting for their chance to finally get out of her head and onto paper.

Books by Regina Puckett

Please come and visit me at

facebook.com/regina.puckett1
http://reginapuckettsbooks.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/154116.Regina_Puckett
https://twitter.com/ReginaPucket