Monday's Poetry: "Christmas Shopping"

by Pa Rock
Poetry Appreciator

Walmart is a commercial cancer that developed in Arkansas and began spreading across America and the world nearly fifty years ago.  During its ascendancy the mega-retailer has sucked the life out of Main Street America, effectively turning a picturesque assemblage of once grand old stores into block-after-block of flea markets and vacant buildings.   By-and-large, Mom and Pop no longer run their own small businesses, and salaried retail sales people no longer make enough to support themselves, let alone their families.

And as for Christmas shopping . . . well, fighting the mob in a Walmart ain't exactly the stuff of a Norman Rockwell painting.

But now the tide is turning and even the billionaires who own Walmart are feeling the pinch as America's shopping public rushes to embrace a new paradigm for acquiring goods and services.  Purchases which once required bundling up and heading out into the cold are now being made from the comfort of home - on-line.

Walmart was late getting into the on-line sales game, but it is rushing to establish a strong presence in a marketplace where competition once again rules the shopping season.  True, Amazon is now the big dog in e-sales, but the internet offers thousands-upon-thousands of retail outlets from every corner of the world.  Suddenly the world is awash in choices that far exceed what is offered by Walmart - or even Amazon for that matter.

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours holiday shopping - most of it through Amazon and none through Walmart - and all from the warm convenience of my own home.  My gifts are all being sent (free) directly to the recipients, and I will receive notices when they arrive.  Easy-damned-peazy!

Today's poetry selection, "Christmas Shopping," is by Kay Roberts.  It takes a holistic view of the process from buying in stores to shopping on-line, and seems to graciously gravitate toward the more modern approach.

Let it snow - and break out the Mulled Wine.  There's shopping to do!


Christmas Shopping
by Kay Roberts

Wrapping paper,
Some gift tags,
Bows and ribbon,
Stuffed in Bags.
Baubles, tinsel,
Christmas cards,
Rushing around,
This shopping’s hard.
Grandpa’s hankies,
Granny’s shawl,
Uncle Albert’s socks,
I want to bawl.
Bruised and battered,
Bumped and shoved,
Just back off,
I won’t be rushed.
Parents panicking,
Yells and screams,
Fighting to buy the toy,
Of their child’s dreams.
I’m off home,
To do my shopping on line,
Sit in comfort,
With a glass of Mulled Wine.
I don’t care,
If you think I’m lazy,
I’m not doing that again,
I’m not crazy.