In the vernacular of Art Link-letter, "kids say the darndest things." And at Christmas time they write, think and dream the darndest things.
Recently students at Edge-mont Elementary School in Provo were asked to write poems about Christmas. What they turned in was more amazing and entertaining than their teachers ever expected.The following are excerpts from some of these student's creations.
"Twas the night before Christmas and without a house. We were cold and were freezing trying to take from a mouse.
Yes we were homeless but we didn't care. For we knew Santa soon would be here.
He would bring us presents, food and clothes. Maybe even some kleenexes to wipe our nose.
Yes, yes, yes my toes yes, yes, yes. I know. They're getting frost bite they're turning gray. I'm going to have to cut them off some day.
But let's get back to Christmas. Yes I have a long list. But the thing I most wish for is to have a home, a home, a home, a warm loving home . . ."
Another student wrote:
"Twas the last day of school before Christmas vacation. We were all excited as if it was a world celebration.
The chairs were put up on the desk tops with care and we were all shoutin', which led us nowhere.
The clock on the wall showed one minute to three, I got so excited I hit my left knee.
Then our teacher walked in and made us all calm, and for a second right there, she looked like my mom..."
Obviously, this next student agrees with some folks in Orem who complained at a past City Council meeting that the city's Christmas decorations were less than adequate and something should be done about it.
"Twas the week before Christmas, and all around town, not a person was happy not even a clown.
The lights were hung on the street so bad, that even the tourists were crying and sad.
With hope this town would soon turn around, just listen for a moment to this wonderful sound.
People began singing and helping each other, a young son ran up and hugged his mother.
Everyone sprang to their windows to see a great sight, the spirit of Christmas would be felt tonight.
When what to our wandering eyes did appear, but a star in Heaven that felt so near.
The Christ child's birth is suddenly brought to mind, that through the holidays we should be so kind."
How appropriate that the Christ child's birth and the spirit of the season should be brought to the mind of a child. It's too bad that some adults are having a problem remembering that the holiday was named after the most influential man to walk the Earth and not some algebraic symbol like X.
Thanks, students. Merry Christmas and peace on Earth.
Genelle Pugmire, Orem, is the editorial assistant in the Deseret News' Utah County bureau.