Raising Aid

Raising Aid

Tis the Christmas Season!

A carol singing trip to raise money on behalf of Christian Aid charity (www.christianaid.org.uk) by my brother’s church. We took the picture below just before praying and heading out.
It was really cold, despite my glove, my fingers became numb and I only had on a flimsy
t-shirt under my jacket so the cold was getting in from “under”. I also never remember to pack my neck scarf whenever I travel, so the cold was getting in from “on top” as well.
We headed up and down a couple of streets where we would stop under lampposts and sing a couple of Christmas carol songs. (I believe the church had given her “neighbors”advanced notice that we would be making the rounds tonight).
Two designated “collectors” will go and knock on people’s doors while the rest of us sang the songs – usually two songs per lamp posts from a total of 16 songs.

It was nice to be doing something for someone else for a change, but I would be lying if I don’t admit my mind strayed once or twice to something that’s always on my mind and how nice it would have been if that had had an alternate happy ending.

raising_aid
Note: I am the one on one knee in front and to the left of the group (beside the children).

Then after we made it back to the church, we had some chicken soup, carrot soup, cake, bread and butter and mincepies to “warm up” before heading back home.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year (well in advance!)

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

I left my money on the streets of Amsterdam
It went up in smoke,
Chicken wings and Coke

I left my soul on the streets of Amsterdam
If you find him, he is old,
Be nice: the streets are cold 

I left my wishes on the streets of Amsterdam
An old-timer told me of the fairies
They grant wishes:
Look for them on the ferries

I left my hopes on the streets of Amsterdam
If they find their way home
Their adventures should fill a tome 

I left my heart on the streets of Amsterdam
It was lonely
Maybe it will find a partner – nice and homely 

I left my passport on the streets of Amsterdam
If you find it, don’t find me
It is right where it wants to be:
anywhere but with me

I left my past on the streets of Amsterdam
It has found friends amongst the ghosts and shadows
But it still manages to furrow my brows 

I left my body on the streets of Amsterdam
Frozen solid
A feet beneath the snow
Do not dig it up: not with the hoe or the plough 

In Amsterdam Centraal

NOTE: the piece above is not meant to convey a negative view of Amsterdam: a truly lovely city. Though I have no intention of throwing away my passport, what I said about my passport in one of the stanzas above as well as the last stanza should give an idea of how I feel about the city were I to be jobless or in a tight fix 🙂

08/Dec/2012