"A WARM RECEPTION"

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=215 BGCOLOR="#999999" TEXT="#080000" background="0440eb82ermwup.jpg"> <bR> <div> ''OH CHRISTMAS TREE''</div> <div>  <embed src="HTMLobj-208/oxmastre.mid" autostart="false" width="145" height="70">  </div> <div> <B>SOUND CONTROL</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="POEMS OF HOLIDAY SEASONS"> </A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="POEMS OF HOLIDAY SEASONS"><B>BACK TO HOME</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="guestbook.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="guestbook"><B>VISIT MY GUESTBOOK</B></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #000000;" BGCOLOR="#999999" TEXT="#080000" background="043b85f1ermwup.jpg"> <div> <B>HOLIDAY POEMS (CONT.)</B></div> <div> <B>( FOOD FOR THOUGHT )</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#C0C0C0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>"A WARM RECEPTION"</B></I></div> <div> ***</div> <div> It happened on one Christmas Eve, and one I'll ne'er forget; </div> <div> while watching news on my TV, I lit a cigarette; </div> <div> and on the coffee table stands an empty whiskey flask, </div> <div> and I was holding in my hands an empty drinking glass. </div> <div> The children all had gone to sleep, and I stayed up because..</div> <div>  I had to place beneath the tree  the gifts from Santa Claus. </div> <div> Then there I sat when all was done and everything complete, </div> <div> I thought about tomorrow's fun when all our family meet. </div> <div> So here was I in restful pose and puffing cigarettes, </div> <div> and  in my thoughts I closed my eyes to take a little rest. </div> <div> Then I suppose I went to dose, and dropped the cigarette. </div> <div> It fell into the sofa chair and fire began to set. </div> <div> Smoke was rising everywhere and I began to fret! </div> <div> ***</div> <div> Then suddenly a burst of flames and overhead they flew </div> <div> and I could see the fires go higher into the walls they blew. </div> <div> They lept and swept and flickered bright in crimson, gold and red, </div> <div> and lapped the drapes that once were white, </div> <div> now blackened rags instead! </div> <div> ***</div> <div> And up they soared in violent roar and spun a vicious core; </div> <div> and in and out and 'round about then back down to the floor. </div> <div> And up they scooped and down they swooped </div> <div> the ash and embers there; </div> <div> with sparks so bright with orange and white, they set the room aglare. </div> <div> An' all around a sizzling sound, as flames came hotter still, </div> <div> and plumes of smoke joined in the stoke, to finish off the kill. </div> <div> Black and charred and badly scarred, where flames engulfed the scene, </div> <div> the room was razed in hell-like blaze- like only hell has seen!</div> <div> ***</div> <div> 'twas like I'm glued I could not move, like mummies as they lie, </div> <div> and I am caught in dreadful thought: "Am I about to die? </div> <div> For here I choke from all this smoke, and bound to bid goodbye. </div> <div> Is this the way I have to pay for all my worldly sin; </div> <div> like smoking packs of cigarettes and drinking wine or gin? </div> <div> Oh yes, oh yes, it must be true, My God, what have I done? </div> <div> To be so rude and careless too, in what I thought was fun. </div> <div> "No more dear God, I cried outloud, please help me get through this; </div> <div> for I will nevermore allow myself to know abyss. </div> <div> ***</div> <div> And then I heard a knock  and cries:</div> <div> "Daddy, Daddy , please get up, the door is locked inside, </div> <div> we want to get what Santa left and open up our prize". </div> <div> Now why on earth would they say that when smoke or fire is seen? </div> <div> The truth is- I'd been asleep... and it's all been just a dream! </div> <div> When I awoke and realized, what really could have been, </div> <div> I prayed to God whom I confied, I'll not do that again! </div> <div> But I learned a lesson you can bet, that it does not pay to drink, </div> <div> or smoke some nasty cigarette, that leads you to the brink. </div> <div> What a day to stop and pray; let love and goodwill thrive; </div> <div> on this gorgeous Christmas Day, It's great to be alive! </div> <div> ***</div> <div> Story And Verse By William E. 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