Twelfth Night
Goodbye goodwill,
Love, friendship, understanding.
It's time to put you back in the cupboard
With the rest of the decorations.
Farewell international peace
And co-operation.
We'll get you out again in time for next twenty fourth
So we can play at Christianity for twelve days
(And nights).
Why can't we practise Christmas
Goodwill all year, 1 wonder?
Oh well, goodbye.
Hello hate, war and ill will,
You're back I see
And you've brought your chums
international disruption and envy.
Hello New Year,
Goodbye Christmas.
Written, aged 15, on Twelfth Night, 1969 at the height of the Vietnam war
<Deleted User> (13762)
Fri 6th Jan 2017 07:57
It would be nice to see some more poems from when we were young here on WoL especially when the original sentiments continue to ring true down the decades as this does. A different war but just as horrifying as today's conflicts.
This feels like a prelude to John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War is Over) which was released two years later. Read in context with the knowledge that you were just 15 years old makes this a highly thoughtful and evocative piece. Thanks for posting Phil.