When did I get to November?
I barely remember
December is beckoning
I know there’ll be a reckoning
With my bank account
How will I surmount
the pressure Christmas denotes?
Approaching it cautiously
With a stone in my throat
Then I recall
‘Tis the season for giving
A gift for the living
Of modest amusement
Layers of forgiveness for all
-Vivian Zems
{Key words: November, layers, stone, throat}
Get Listed: November Edition- Real Toads
November writing prompts: Unassuming diversions (synonyms: modest amusement)
Smell The Coffee 
November 2, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Vivian, Thanks for ushering us into the new season of giving and forgiving. Seems like we go straight from Halloween to Christmas here in the states. All the trees are trimmed in the stores…and Thanksgiving gets sandwiched in between. Poetry helps us slow down. Thanks for your contribution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm
A pleasure Angie😊. And thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 5:23 pm
Yes, all the festivals teach us to be more giving and forgiving, after all sharing is caring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:27 am
Indeed it does 🙂
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 6:33 pm
I like this so much. Indeed, it is the season of giving and forgiving. In my family, we have a $5 limit on Christmas gifts because we do things for each other all trough the year. We all have somewhere in our homes that quote from A Christmas Carol…I will honor Christmas and keep it every day of the year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Thanks 😊. That’s a great policy you have there!
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 7:02 pm
You would be amazed what you can get for $5. Of course we don’t have any children in our family but, this teaches us the true reason for the season so to speak. My next door neighbors give Christmas cookies – to the neighbors, to their family – Very special beautifully decorated cookies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:28 am
You’ve given me some great ideas 🙂
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I,like this one. Mi can feel it all happening,lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Thankle you😊
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 6:47 pm
I love this.. the allure and pressure of the festive season is so palpable here 💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Pressure! 😨
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Haha! Love this. I told my kids we could put up the Christmas decorations anytime they want now. Guess I figure there’s no resisting so may as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Giving in is less stressful 😊. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Somehow I’m glad it’s not up yet… but the lights of advent leading into Christmas makes December so much better… the giving of the season seems to be better done with small things from the heart (like homecooked jam)
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:28 am
I quite agree
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 9:25 pm
I don’t let myself get frazzled with the approaching season. I give where I can and I don’t even have a list of things to buy. My husband, daughters, and myself decided long a go to pool our giving into a place where there is real need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:29 am
Good plan!
LikeLike
November 2, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:29 am
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:37 am
Thank you very much. Its an honor to get the permission to reblog informative postings like yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:58 am
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:48 am
I know the feeling! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 12:57 am
Sigh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 6:29 am
Really liked this one. I do think giftinf should be such that it doesn’t put pressure on our bank accounts or stress us out. It’s the same for some of our festivals where we are expected to buy new clothes even when we don’t really need them, just out of tradition. I would rather give for someone in need
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 8:28 am
I quite agree- giving to someone in need is what the season (and in fact our whole lives) should be about.
LikeLike
November 3, 2017 at 8:50 am
The dreaded season is coming round again but we are glad really…aren’t we? Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Yes we are… just need to have all our principles in place so we’re not swept away by commercialism.
LikeLike
November 3, 2017 at 10:22 am
Christmas will suck this year when you’re drowning in medical bills. 😤😢😪😪😓
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Oh no! Bills are a very rude word around my house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 3, 2017 at 11:39 pm
I love the haste create by the structure of the poem as the season overwhelms us and is constantly on our minds. Beautifully written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 4, 2017 at 7:41 am
Thank you 😊
LikeLike
November 4, 2017 at 12:27 am
Giving of ourselves .. what it is all about. Delightful write ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 4, 2017 at 7:40 am
Thanks, Helen!
LikeLike