The 40 Winter Beatitudes
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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
Elizabeth Bates, 14, is in the eighth grade at St. Michael's High School. She lives in Santa Fe.
