THIS CHRISTMAS

by LaRue Watts

It is a time for love and joy
For every girl and every boy.
But why not men and women, too?
Is happiness for just the few
Who still believe in Santa Claus?
Or are there some unwritten laws
That once you pass a certain age.
You only live with hate and rage?
Adults are those forgetful souls
Who don't see toys but only coals.
And as I age, I must confess
I try and comprehend this mess...
This sadness tearing us apart...
This common woe within my heart.
Where are those joyous days gone by
When reindeer flew across the sky?
They're still attainable I know
If you and I will live as though
A peace on earth, good will to each
Are not completely out of reach.
For each mistake, we can atone
And then, in time, we will have grown. 
But not too much, I humbly pray.
Let childhood dreams still show the way
With opened eyes we see quite far,
Perhaps, to some unnoticed star.

HIS LIST

by LaRue Watts

Santa knows when you have cursed,
And been quite naughty, at your worst.
But haloed good, as good can be?
Then, Christmas morning 'neath your tree,
You'll find rewards from Santa dear.
That jolly elf will make it clear
You were perfection in his scoring
As good as gold. (But twice as boring)
So if you should be deemed as bad
You must refrain from getting mad
And try to give your soul a lift.
Remember, coal is still a gift.

ODE TO REYNOLDS WRAP

by LaRue Watts

The turkey?  Delicious, upon the first day.
The second day?  Good, in it's own special way.
The third time re-heating went somewhat awry.
The fourth?  "Foiled again?' I heard the bird cry.
There wasn't a fifth time.  We gave up the fight.
And that was the best time with pizza all night.
Now, left-over pizza is what it's about.
I promise tomorrow I'll throw it all out.

THANKSGIVING GRACE

by LaRue Watts

A simple prayer is not too much.
You're merely saying "I'm in touch
With God who's given every blessing.
Thank you, Lord."  Please pass the dressing.

AMERICA

by LaRue Watts

Oh, pitiful for fears and lies
That hurt and cause great pain,
While imitation pious men
Self-righteously shall reign.
America, America
Forsaking God to see
The murdering of brotherhood
And land no longer free.
Send not your teeming masses now
But close the golden door.
America, America,
America no more.

THE UNKNOWN

by  LaRue Watts

I'm not afraid of ghosts per say
Or evil that may come my way.
On Halloween we all assume
There will be thoughts of doom and gloom.
So witches, goblins, ghouls beware
I am not one that you can scare.
Although one thing does give a fright,
The unknown waiting out of sight.
I wake up screaming at the thought
That in a spider's web we're caught.
But, we'll survive, so hold on fast
Till this election year has passed.

THE NEW HALLOWEEN

by LaRue Watts

While wide awake, each Halloween
I hoped to see an eerie scene
Of ghouls and goblins 'neath my bed,
Some spooky thing without a head.
I'd scare myself with thoughts of doom
From creaking noises in my room.
Was that a bat that just flew by?
Do spiders crawl and banshees cry?
Such questions kept me up all night
And I confess I loved the fright.
But now I'm of an age where moans
And creaks result from painful bones.
I toss and turn to get some rest
And wish for youth when I was blest
With nightmares of a fiendish sort.
But they're no more, I must report.
And that is what I miss the most -
Not having at least, the chance of a ghost.