O Holy Grail

/ December 22, 2021

~

O holy grail, thy will a steady gail

faithful attempts to pursue the Christmas dream

buy the perfect gift via the internet and mail

caught up in a tedious consumer regime

on credit, on lay away, more debt we grow

for shopping is the holy grail we know

~

fall on your knees before the corporate pleas

o holy grail, o holy grail

for thee, we must prevail

~

This is my entry for Chelsea’s Terrible Poetry Contest based on the song O Holy Night. If you’re inclined to read more poems or create one of your own, please visit her blog for more details at The Terrible Poetry Contest, Reunion of 2020.

Thanks for reading my cynical musings on our cultural obsession with shopping, gift buying, and material success. I actually enjoy giving and receiving presents, but believe we are out of balance in our priorities. My vision is for us to spend more time with friends and family bonding over food, love, conversation, and shared experiences, and less focus on gifts.

May your holidays be filled with loving connections.

Merry Christmas!

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37 thoughts on “O Holy Grail”

  1. Very cleverly done Brad and lots of truth in your words. Like you I also enjoy giving and receiving but Iā€™m happy this year to be far away and therefore stepping out of the commercialism. Balance is key! šŸ’—

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  3. You are so right! I had the distinct feeling last night, whilst wrapping the presents for my children, that we’ve all been suckered into purchasing more than we need or want to every year. Clever poem! Thank you so much for sharing it.

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  7. Isn’t that the truth Brad! I long for the return of the true meaning of Christmas and the gratitude we feel. Those days seem lost šŸ˜¦ But not completely for we can make them our reality if we choose. Wishing you a warm and meaningful Christmas and hopefully a better new year/new paradigm ahead!!!! Blessings to you…VK

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  10. Well for starters your poem is far from terrible Brad.
    Your poem holds truth and wisdom.
    When we each come to realise its our unnecessary consumerism on buying trivia . Things we don’t really need, especially the plastic then we each go along ways then in Contributing to helping heal our earth of her pollutants..

    Enjoyed your poem and like Miriam in her comment.. it just needs for us to find that balance in all things..

    Have a great day Brad. šŸ˜€ šŸ’š

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  12. I actually liked your poem Bradā€¦ and agree we have to find a new balance in our beingnessā¤ļø I suppose this was inspired after carrying around a lot of gifts everyone was having delivered by youšŸŽ…šŸ•ŗšŸŽ„. Sending love your way this holiday season, may 2022 bring you and everyone more balance to enjoy even morešŸŽ¶šŸ„‚

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    • Thank you. Yes, it was partly inspired by the volume of packages we delivered, and more so by the continued focus on buying presents that I see with family, friends, and online. I hope we find simpler and more balanced lives that support loving experiences.

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  14. You hit the nail on the proverbial head. Many of us, fortunately, are not sucked into the media/advertising/corporate push to ‘buy buy buy’ for Christmas. A better mantra would be “lovebekindlovebekindlovebekind.” Good job!

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  15. Lol. Great parody with a powerful message about consumerism. And I completely agree with your desire for “us to spend more time with friends and family bonding over food, love, conversation, and shared experiences.” I hope that wish comes true for you in 2022, Brad. Happy New Year.

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  16. I agree with you, Brad… spending time with friends and family and sharing experiences is more gratifying than spending time shopping. I hope you had an enjoyable holiday. šŸ’

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  17. “I actually enjoy giving and receiving presents, but believe we are out of balance in our priorities. My vision is for us to spend more time with friends and family bonding over food, love, conversation, and shared experiences, and less focus on gifts.” – I so agree with this that you say. I want to feel the sentiment behind the gift and also feel the value in being present with each other with genuine regard. I loved your Terrible Poetry šŸ™‚

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