MEMORY

Your face is quite familiar;

Your name has slipped my mind.

It was just a week ago

We met and, yes, we dined!

I owe a sum of money,

But can’t recall to whom.

He’ll consider me a deadbeat

If I don’t remember soon!

I was there not long ago.

'Why' escapes me though.

Perhaps it was a wedding,

A funeral or a show.

When did all that happen?

It was a heady time.

Our world became a different place.

Was it ’fifty-eight or ‘fifty-nine?

Things never to be forgotten,

Gone as the morning mist.

Names, places and events

Likely only to be missed,

If someone tests my memory;

I wish to seem alert.

Instead I look bewildered,

An absentminded jerk!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

If Christmas has you down,

Has you harried, has you glum,

The day so near upon us,

And the shopping’s still not done.

The tree’s yet unadorned.

No wreath upon the door.

You’re feeling overwhelmed.

Yule’s become a weary chore.

Take time to hear the music,

Those wonderful refrains

That express the joy of Christmas.

Their beauty never wanes.

The melodies uplifting,

Words with promise bright,

Memories of childhood

Of a storied holy night.

‘Away in a Manger’,

‘The Herald Angels Sing’,

‘Come All Ye Faithful’,

Hear the bells of glory ring!

‘Joy to the World’,

‘Little Town of Bethlehem’,

‘The Holly and the Ivy’,

To such cheer I say ‘Amen!’

Whate’er you may believe,

Religion or cold reason,

All can love the music

Of this delightful season.

Carols have the power

To from sadness make you free,

So turn on your radio

And sing along with me.