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AMERIKAN YULE
by Terry Olynik
After putting
One more layer
Of clothing
On her two shivering,
Giggling,
Daughters -
Angela returned
To the pile
Of newspapers.
(Recently liberated
From her neighbor's
Recycling bin).
After carefully
Crumpling up each sheet,
She wedged them
Tightly into
The gaps along
The window frames -
Spaces large enough
To permit snow flakes in,
Where they vanished,
Slowly.
(Due to the frigid
Living room temperature).
It was too early
In the year
To turn on the heat.
Warmth now
Would surely mean
A shut off of the gas
For non payment -
Before spring's thaw.
(Like last year,
When the youngest
Almost lost a toe
To frostbite).
A full-page
U.S.A Today toy ad
Caught her attention.
A Barbie Escalade -
Carries two children,
Only $399.99.
She wondered
For the twentieth time,
How she could pay
For the Christmas Crayolas.
(She had promised
Her budding Frida Kahlo's).
Angela crumpled this
Sheet as she had
Done the rest -
Targeting the triangular chasm
Between the door and the jam.
Her concerns
Were more immediate.
(How to stretch
Two cans of tuna,
A handful of rice,
And warm hugs
Until payday).
12/15/2007 Author's Note: A reworking of a previous submission "Freezing/Sizzling"
Posted on 12/16/2007
Copyright © 2025 Terry Olynik
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Rhiannon Jones on 12/16/07 at 05:46 AM I remember the original...it made a vivid impression. I like this, too. |
| Posted by Wendy Sparling on 12/16/07 at 08:33 PM Your poem is heart wrenching and so true. I donated to the food bank yesterday, but I feel I haven't done enough. Today, I will send money to a needy cause. Thank you for the reminder to give generously. ((hugs)) |
| Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 12/18/07 at 08:28 PM A timely reminder to those who have to give to those who need. smh |
| Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 12/25/07 at 09:40 PM All strong and clearly drawn details-- a measured progression, a cinematic feel, panning around the room, over the page with an inner dialogue--all this makes it a strong poem. Draws one into the emotional presence of this family and others they represent in similar experiences. |
| Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 12/28/07 at 01:09 PM Maybe the spelling of "Amerikan" in the title is a bit heavy-handed, but once we get past that, we have a haunting and vivid poem. Thought-provoking, as it should be, and a reminder of what the spirit of the season, and of giving, is all about. Thank you for this one, and congrats on POTD.... d:-) |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 12/28/07 at 04:15 PM Congrats on POTD! This is difficult to read emotionally, as it should be, a reminder of sad circumstances all around us that should not be ignored. |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 12/28/07 at 09:31 PM Congratulations on POTD! There is so much offered the needy in our area that the poem seems foreign to me. The title suggests "another America", a subculture that most of us are unaware of. Jesus said, "The poor you have with you always." It is something never to be denied or ignored. |
| Posted by Michelle Angelini on 12/29/07 at 02:24 AM You already know what I think of this, as I told you earlier...congratulations on POTD.
~Chelle~ |
| Posted by Wendy Sparling on 12/29/07 at 04:22 AM Congrats, Terry,on your POTD!! |
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