“Burl Ives at Christmas”

I like Burl Ives—his gregarious lilt wiles me away to
Mountainous men with their creeds,
Boorishness and laughter.
The “Holly and the Ivy” couldn’t sound more fresh
To my senses than when he burst out, free
As a deer in acres of clover!
I play him every Christmas season like a ritual, a
Veracity of goodwill, ageless glee
And winsome chatter
That encompasses the memorandums of
Tomorrows possibilities.