Toy Guns

we loved toy guns
on christmas morn
the smell of caps
a holster worn

some were shiny
silver or black
injuns or tigers
provided to wack


favored toys
designed to kill
though just in play
a power thrill

we humans sing
let freedom ring
as kids we learned
the gun is king

Christmas Mystery

born to poor
the story goes
a simple man
a simple life

his legend lives
in written word
his thoughts inscribed
for all to hear

and yet a mystery
still endures
though not of powers
long bestowed

more the question
how his church
though wrapped in faith
could lose its soul

and how the men
who preach his word
defend the pain
that they impose