The 40 Winter Beatitudes

Elizabeth Bates |

12/22/2007 - 12/23/07

First Place, teen poetry

Elizabeth Bates pays tender, humorous homage to everyday people, places and things. In paying tribute to the holidays, she cleverly immortalizes summer's forgotten tank tops, the sore throats of Christmas carolers, the wrong forecasts of weathermen. An idea borrowed with a wink from the Sermon on the Mount, Bates' poem does the original justice by inverting our expectations and blessing the many things one takes for granted.

Blessed are the snowmen
For they shall be made then melted

Blessed are those who shovel snow
For they shall have unbearably sore backs

Blessed are they who cook Christmas dinner
For they shall have many mouths to feed

Blessed are the sweaters
For they shall be worn every day

Blessed are those who give flu shots
For theirs is a bunch of tears

Blessed are the Santas
For they shall have many wishes to fulfill

Blessed are the gift givers
For they shall have empty wallets

Blessed are the Christmas stockings
For they shall be stuffed

Blessed are the ponds
For they shall be frozen solid

Blessed are they who go to Christmas Mass
For they shall be blessed with true Christmas joy

Blessed are those who commute
For they shall be backed up until spring

Blessed are the wrapped gifts
For they shall be torn to shreds

Blessed are the tank tops
For they shall be thrown into oblivion

Blessed are the heated blankets
For they shall be turned on every night

Blessed are they who honor Baby Jesus
For they shall know the true meaning of Christmas


Blessed are the marshmallows
For they shall be drowned in hot chocolate


Blessed are those who put on Christmas pageants
For theirs are long hours and laughter


Blessed are the evergreen trees
For they shall be cut down and strung with lights


Blessed are the small dogs
For they shall be dressed up with cheer


Blessed are the luminarias
For they shall light the way to Jesus


Blessed are the reindeer
For they shall have very sore hooves


Blessed are the Christmas carolers
For they shall have very sore throats


Blessed are the energy bills
For they shall be through the roof


Blessed are the bowls of posole
For they shall be scarfed down


Blessed are the bears
For they shall be very sleepy


Blessed are the snowflakes
For they shall always be different


Blessed are the weathermen
For they shall be cursed at when wrong


Blessed are the scrooges
For they shall have no warm cheer


Blessed are the Christmas ornaments
For they shall be hung on trees


Blessed are those who believe in Santa
For they shall have many innocent childhood memories


Blessed are the Christmas carols
For they shall be sung every day and night


Blessed are those who participate in Las Posadas
For they shall truly understand Christmas faith


Blessed are the bizcochitos
For they shall be eaten with joy


Blessed are the chimneys
For they shall be filled with smoke and Santas


Blessed are the mistletoes
For they shall watch many be kissed


Blessed are the lunch bags
For they shall be made into farolitos


Blessed are the handmade gifts
For they shall be made and given with love


Blessed are the red and white strips of candy
For they shall be twisted and twirled into candy canes


Blessed are the unwanted gifts
For they shall be returned to the store


Blessed are the Christmas holidays
For they shall bring joy and happiness to many