I’ve been listening to a lot of Christmas music lately.
The radio stations started playing it before Thanksgiving, hoping to get us in the shopping mood. I guess they must think we’ll forget about buying presents unless they remind us.
There are many Christmas songs and Christmas carols. They all carry a message of hope and joy. And there are even poems.
One of my favorites is “The Night Before Christmas.” It’s a poem my grandmother used to read to me from a big story book many years ago on Christmas Eve.
I was thinking how back then, the Holiday Season had four important days - Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
There was never a push for a special shopping day like there is today with Black Friday.
But now, Black Friday has become one of the most anticipated shopping days for retailers and people looking for bargains.
So I figured that day should also have its very own poem.
But it’s definitely not about hope and joy.
Here goes:
‘Twas a month before Christmas, And outside the stores,
People were waiting to rush through the doors.
Inside, employees were shaking with dread,
For the human stampede they knew was ahead.
Mobs of shoppers, out of control,
Pushing and shoving to get to their goal.
The latest gadget, a flat screen TV,
A popular toy, to put under the tree.
Shopping carts stacked with items on sale,
Now rushing to leave, but to no avail.
Customers screaming and cutting in line,
Checking their watches. So short on time.
Now out to the lot, to head on their way,
To another big sale and finish their day.
No Santa, no reindeer, no Christmas elves,
Just angry shoppers thinking of themselves.
Finally at home, to unpack their prize,
To sit down and stop, and close their eyes.
Another Black Friday, what an ordeal,
A whole year to rest, to plan, to heal.
Happy Holidays!
