Poetry

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I Heard A Voice On Christmas Eve
(adapted from the story titled “One Red Rose” or “The Dime”: author unknown)


Bobby was freezing sitting outside in the cold
He didn’t like boots…so none did he own
The thin sneakers he wore had worn thru to the sole
In the backyard he’s been sitting for an hour or so

Try as he might…no gift for mom seemed to be right
And here Christmas Eve was that very night
It’s useless…he shook his head as he thought
Without any money…no present could be bought

It had been three long years since his father had died
His mom really struggled…though so hard she had tried
With his three sisters and him…there never seemed enough
These times he thought…they really were rough

What the family lacked in money and material things
Were made up for in love and the blessings God brings
All three sisters had made beautiful gifts for their mom
It just wasn’t fair…having nothing to give was just wrong

Wiping a tear from his eye…he kicked the snow as he walked
To the shops he went…he had to walk several blocks
It wasn’t easy being ten with no father to help you
Especially now not knowing what he should do

Walking from shop to shop…looking into each window
All seemed out of reach…each gift seemed to say “no”
It was starting to get dark…so he turned to walk home
He saw something shimmering like it was made of chrome

As the Sun began to set…he saw laying against the curb
One shiny dime…he thought this is truly superb
As he held his new found treasure tightly in his hand
A warmth spread over him…he said “now this is grand”

He walked in the first store that came into sight
He thought to himself…now everything will be alright
His excitement quickly turned cold when the salesperson said
“You can’t buy anything with a dime” and laughed as Bobby fled

When he finally stopped running…he looked up and saw
A flower shop there…in he went just to thaw
Bobby began to feel very alone and afraid
He said “God please help me” as he began to pray

As he looked up at the flowers…he thought to himself
Girls like flowers…a great gift they’d make from this little elf
Bobby decided to buy one red rose for his mother
If this didn’t work…he would have nothing to offer

After waiting in line…the shop owner asked if he could help
Bobby presented his dime…requesting one red rose with his wealth
He said “it’s for my mother…it’s for her Christmas gift”
Bobby told him his story…another tear touched his lip

The shop owner looked at Bobby and his one thin dime
Putting his hand on his shoulder he said “You’ve come just in time”
“It’s time to close” as he hung the closed sign on the door
“Wait right here… I have something in the back of the store”

The shop owner returned and walked to the counter
Bobby’s eyes sparkled as his heart began to spudder
For there on the counter lay twelve long stem red roses
“I had these left” he said…right before the shop closes”

With leaves of green and tiny white flowers
A big silver bow had them tied altogether
“I have a sale today” he said ”and these are the last”
“That will be ten cents young man and you better make it fast”

Bobby slowly moved his hand to give the man his dime
Could this be true Bobby thought…could these really be mine
“Don’t you like them” the man said “aren’t they perfect for you”
When the man gave him the box…Bobby knew it was true

Walking out the door Bobby could hear the man say
“Merry Christmas son”…God be with you on your way”
As the man closed the door…he heard his wife come to ask
“Who were you talking to and who bought those roses at last”

Staring out the window…he said blinking tears from his eyes
“I heard a voice this morning telling me…stop…put twelve roses aside”
I wasn’t sure at the time that I hadn’t completely lost my mind
“But I did as He said and I waited for the right time”

Then a while ago… a boy walked in the door
He had only one dime so I knew he was poor
He wanted one red rose for his one thin dime
I knew in my heart that this was the time

I saw myself all those many years ago
I was only ten years old and feeling really low
A poor boy with nothing…I had nothing to give my mom
It was late on Christmas Eve as I was walking along

A man I never knew appeared in the snow
He said…stop…He gave me ten dollars and told me to go
When I saw that little boy come into my shop
I remembered that voice telling me to stop

That voice I heard this morning…It was a voice I know
It was the very same voice I heard as a boy long ago
It was the Rose of Sharon…it was His voice I heard
When I heard it again this morning…my heart was truly stirred

I had forgotten how to listen to His still small voice
That little boy reminded me listening to Him is my choice”
As the man and his wife stepped outside in the cold
He said “thank you Jesus” and handed her one red rose

Vasquez Savage
vasquezsavage.com

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