Christmas Poem

THE CHRISTMAS VISITOR

There are times in our lives
When we must take chances,
On people and on things.

A man came to my house
On Christmas Eve,
Asking to rake the leaves
To buy gifts for his children.

I offered a donation,
Handing him a ten-dollar bill.
"I'd rather work," he said,
Taking up his rake and
Moving sycamore leaves
To the center of the yard.

Who is this man? I wondered.
The beggar in the Bible
Came to mind, but I dismissed it.

When he was done,
I gave him half of my homemade fruitcake.
Eyes focused on the ground, he said,
"I hope the work I've done
Equals the love you've shown to me.

My "Merry Christmas" was a greeting
To the Jesus in all men.

Mary S. Palmer
12/22/11

Upcoming ebooks - Musa Publishing:
Time Will Tell (science fiction) March 9, 2012
To Catch a Fish (novel) April 9, 2012