YULE POEMS: Here’s another of those lighthearted verses we found
in the Era from a century ago.
If I Were Santa Claus
“If I were Santa Claus, I’d bring to faces pinched and cold,
The roses that within them dwelt in joyous days of old.
I’d warm the hearts of those whom Love has passed unheeded
by,
And deftly trade a happy smile for every stifled sigh;
I’d bring to those, bereft of hope, the sunlight’s golden
gleams,
I’d give again the faith to men that life has undermined,
I’d give a voice to all the dumb — give eyes to all the
blind.
“If I were Santa Claus, I’d bring the dead to life again,
I’d gladden every lover’s heart, I’d make an end of pain,
I’d stamp out poverty and woe, and grief and foolish pride,
I’d stop the inhumanity of creeds that don’t provide;
I’d paint on every childish face the grace of childish bliss
—
I’d teach the loveless to be loved, the unkissed how to
kiss.
All this, and more, I’d bring about to ease each mortal’s lot
—
If I were good old Santy, but I’m thankful that I’m not!”
POST SCRIPT: Today is the day when gifts are distributed to many
needy families and senior citizens in Bradford as part of the Era’s
Less Fortunate Fund.
Those of us who are involved in this Christmas giving program
are astonished each year by the generosity of the Bradford
community.
This newspaper has sponsored the program since 1983 and, each
year, we learn again how it truly is better to give than
receive.
While the final figures are still being tallied, it’s already
obvious that the 2009 program has been the largest ELF undertaking
— by far. Approximately 500 children and 120 senior citizens have
received gifts as part of this program. We’d guess that’s about 30
percent higher than last year.
Those high numbers have meant more work than usual for
volunteers but, in all honesty, nobody has complained. It’s also
mean a greater need for help from the people of Bradford and, as we
noted, they came through with flying colors.
And, so, we know a little bit about how “good old Santy” must
have felt!
