The Hustle and Bustle of Holiday Shopping

The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping

You’re much too busy, no time for stopping

Parking lots overflowing, and then there is snow

Slowing us down when we are needing to go

Streetlights are shining and flakes falling down

But no one complains; there are smiles all around

For there are gifts to wrap, and bows to tie

Food to prepare and much more to buy

Cookies to bake, and the gingerbread too

So much to coordinate, so much to do

Checking your list, and checking it twice

Then changing a bit when you notice the price

Cash registers ringing and credit cards swiping

Yet for a moment you’re lost in the candy cane striping

Crowds are never-ending, and lines, oh so long

And the piped in music seems to play the same song

The shopping mall is packed, nearly burst at the seams

Deafening talking and laughing and screams

Children are restless and their attention is lost

Caught up in the Elves, and Santa, and Frost

Toddlers are hungry, and the babies are crying

Yet there’s no time to stop; gotta keep up the buying

Armloads of boxes and bulging tote bags

But don’t forget paper, and ribbons and tags

At last it’s your turn, and the scanning is done

You grimace at the total, but it’s finally done!

Load up the children and get headed for home

You pull in the driveway and smile at the Gnomes

The twinkling lights on the trees in the yard

Two tall Nutcrackers on the porch standing guard

In the house we all rush through the blanket of white

So much to get done; it will be a long night

And as the hours pass, and the kids fall asleep

A precious stillness emerges without even a peep

There is still much to do; things you haven’t thought of

Yet stop and be thankful for the ones that you love

Let the world keep on turning, just stop for a while

Feel that holiday spirit, then just sit back and smile

More Holiday Poetry from R.J. Schwartz

‘Tis the Season for Folly and Madness – A Christmas Poem

Ringing in Christmas Day

The Magic of Yule

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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all.I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed.I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another.I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me.I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

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