FriendBurst Blog

Welcome to the December 2012 Edition of “Pick-Apart Poetry”

as we celebrate Christmas in a Pick-Apart kind of way.

‘Tis the Season for Love and Peace and Good Cheer.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

And in the spirit of Christmas Day,

we celebrate poetically as we select our 25 words

from the three Christmas songs below

and let’s see what we can create with them.

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1867)

AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
‘Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

(Author Unknown;

music composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895)

JOLLY OLD SAINT NICHOLAS

Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way!
Don’t you tell a single soul
What I’m going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon;
Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you’ll bring to me;
Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve,
When I’m fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black,
With your pack you’ll creep;
All the stockings you will find
Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one,
You’ll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates;
Susy wants a dolly;
Nellie wants a story book;
She thinks dolls are folly;
As for me, my little brain
Isn’t very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus,
What you think is right.

(Author Unknown)

While these three pieces are Christmas Songs,

the poetry we bring back to share isn’t limited to any specific theme.

We welcome any topic you choose.

And remember that we can use the chosen words

more than once and tenses may be changed.

Our goal is to simply have fun and be creative.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

and we look forward to what we bring back to share.

There is no time limit on this so whenever you stop by is a great time to share.

Thanks so much for all the love and support you have given to us during this past year.

We cherish you all and love the time we spend together each month.

Looking forward to what we all create.

~Barb K and Cherie/Silver Lining~