LEAST EXPECTATIONS

LEAST EXPECTATIONS

That time of year is here, all are full of expectation,

With gifts and merrymaking, the excitement of a nation.

To bring her temporary joy, Dad hunts a doll for his daughter,

Whilst thousands of miles away, a child only wants clean water.

In shops, trolleys are obscenely crammed so we can eat our fill,

At the same time in war zones, innocent blood will spill.

The tears of joy at the expensive gifts we all lovingly share,

Tempered by cries of fear, as bullets scream through the air.

Gifts of gold to the baby, lay in the nativity stable,

Yet, still half the world can’t put any decent food on the table.

Children will throw tantrums and adults will moan and groan

If they don’t receive computer games, or the latest mobile phone.

Elsewhere, people just hope the violence and killing stops,

And the rains arrive soon, so they can grow their crops.

We should endorse quiet reflection, to think about one another,

The starving child in Africa or his AIDS infected mother.

To parents, whose children are serving on far off, hostile shores,

Where they risk their lives daily in futile, forgotten wars.

Please try to temper expectation in this time of excess,

Think of all others in their hardship and duress.

A kind word, gesture of faith or even a simple prayer,

So those with least expectation may enjoy a share.

Christmas, the time for giving and family and of fun,

Not of starvation, the sword, bullet or the gun.

We are all of one God, born of his flesh and his blood,

So let’s help all others, at Christmas we really should.

Phil Hall    December 2012