’Twas Christmas on Substack, and all through your feed
The gurus were shilling their tricks to succeed;
While some were responding to colleagues and friends,
Still others were sharing new marketing trends.
By day’s end, each laptop was switched off and bagged;
At airports, the luggage was measured and tagged;
The passengers boarded each holiday flight
While the highways led family sedans through the night.
All seemed to be ready, all seemed to be done;
For many, the holiday break had begun.
But Christmas was strange this particular year;
For some, not as festive, and lacking in cheer.
We’ve lived through great changes, profound and unplanned
For reasons that no one can quite understand.
For some, overworked, like our doctors and nurses,
For others, laid off with light holiday purses.
It’s harder to buy things like butter and meat
And the news keeps our phobias stuck on repeat.
“Go shopping online, keep it easy,” they said;
Supply chains lose gifts by the thousands instead.
The changes continue, unplanned and profound—
But what is that ringing, that jingling sound?
Your smartphone is vibrating! Wait, that’s not right…
Weren’t notifications turned off for the night?
You pull out your phone and your jaw becomes slack
Your eyes are unblinking—you pull the phone back.
“Kris K. mentioned you in a post,” says the screen.
It says there’s a video. What could it mean?
“Good tidings and holiday greetings to all!”
Says a man who is possibly wider than tall.
His hair is snow-white, yet his cheeks and his nose
Are as red as his hat and his oversized clothes.
“I hope that my presence here doesn’t offend—
If you like you can call me your ‘holiday friend.’
I know it may seem that the future’s uncertain;
The hardships you’ve faced, and incredible burdens
Have not gone unnoticed—but please look above!”
He gestures with one showy wave of his glove.
“Just look at the names that I’ve tagged in this post:
It’s all your connections who matter the most.
The lawyers, and waiters, and HVAC installers,
The resume writers, and dentists and scholars.
While the season of Christmas is drawing so near,
May I offer advice for the upcoming year?
This forum for sharing the work that you do
Is handy for sharing adversity, too.
If ever you’re anxious, or bothered by doubt,
You’ve people to talk to. So why not reach out?
From all of your closest connections, you’ll find
Good people who try to be decent and kind.
They won’t be as shocked or surprised as you think;
They’ve been through it, too,” he suggests with a wink.
“We’ve places to be, so I’ll get to the end:
Remember your network, reach out to your friends.
And thank you to Substack for letting me speak.
May blessings embrace you this holiday week!”
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