Frantic! Poem by B. V. Dahlen

Every year around this time
I feel so very frantic.
I have a schedule that is so
Both frenzied and gigantic.

I write the cards, and start to bake.
I buy the presents cheaply.
I locate all the decorations
That are all buried so deeply.

Under every other sort
Of Easter baskets saved.
Beneath that silver do-dad that
Aunt Alice had engraved.

Church pageants and bright costumes,
The many colored lights,
A cranky child who whines all day,
Or with her sibling fights.

A husbands stressed by too much work,
My kids by Christmas cravings,
Me because I’ve sadly checked
Into the family savings.

My life gets much too hectic.
Why can’t I just unwind,
And take the time to simply pause.
For maybe then I’d find

Something of the Christmas joy
I knew when I was young,
With dreams of Holiday delights
And snowflakes on my tongue.

With simple things, such happiness
Would fill my younger heart,
Instead of this deep weariness
That now is such a part

Of preparations I perform
This period each year
This crazed and hurried
Season. Why try to persevere?

I need to simply take the time,
And with the kids in tow,
We’ll savor slower joys that come
Far from the frantic flow.

We’ll think of giving and of gifts
That we have once received.
We’ll concentrate on milestones that
Our family has achieved.

We’ll all endeavor to recall
The point of this sweet season,
And find that generosity
That gives us all a reason

To share the bounties of our lives
With ones who are so dear.
And let them know how much they mean
To us this time of year

If we would dedicate some time
And effort to these missions,
We may be able to create
More meaningful traditions

That won’t cause stress and sadness
When the Holidays are near,
But fill our hearts with peace and joy
At Christmas every year.