A Lifetime of Christmas Poetry
My mom, Raynette Forister Eitel, passed away in September of 2022, age
85, drifting away into dementia. It was tragic to watch this woman who loved
words, who was a poet and teacher, fade away into wordlessness after a lifetime
of crafting poetry.
Mom had a tradition of writing a new Christmas poem each year and
sending it to friends and relatives. The mailing list grew each year, and
people always told us they looked forward to mom’s Christmas poems. She
published some in a couple little books. There are too many to post just once a
day during the month of December, but I’ll choose some of the best.
What Can It Be?
by Raynette Eitel
What can it be about Christmas
Which sends us back in time?
The candle’s glow,
A simple snow,
Our church bell’s ageless chime.
What can it be about Christmas
Which stirs the memory?
The carol sung,
The tinsel hung,
The fragrant, shining tree.
What can it be about Christmas
Which binds the young and old?
The gift of love,
One star above,
A matchless tale retold.
What can it be about Christmas
Which God and mortals share?
A Holy Night,
The dark made light,
And Peace on Earth the prayer.
Writing Rhetorically 