Post No. 300: "My Point Of View On," Part 21 — Giving Alms To The Poor

(Image from Wikipedia)

These blog posts with the 'header' titles, "My Point Of View On," Parts 1 - 26, are originally from my "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" blog, which is my blog with the fewest posts. So, I decided to not group posts in this series with similar topics from that blog (unlike the blog post series with similar topics from my other blogs, which I republished on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog), because I wanted this series of posts in their chronological order, representing the way they were originally published.

My Point Of View On...
Giving Alms To The Poor

My Point Of View No. 1: Take care of all of your own needs first, so that you have the ability to help others also, if that is possible and desirable for you.

My Point Of View No. 2: Give to yourself, as part of taking care of all of your own needs first, but give to others also, if that is possible and desirable for you.

My Point Of View No. 3: Once you have taken care of all of your own needs first, then you can help others to take care of all of their own needs also, if that is possible and desirable for you.

My Point Of View No. 4: Receive help from others, if the need should arise, until such a time as you can take care of all of your own needs again, if that is necessary and feasible for you.

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

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My Writing About Giving Charity And Accepting Charity: I spend what I can afford to spend on charitable donations while still being able to afford to take care of my day-to-day needs. (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS. And I am on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, so my income is quite limited.) Thus, I would not make charitable donations if I was not able to take care of my day-to-day needs, since I believe in taking care of your own needs first and helping others second—that is, if it is possible and desirable for you to help others. Plus, I personally believe in wisely accepting charity, or assistance, if it is really needed; but, I also personally believe in not accepting charity, or assistance, if it is not really needed. For example, I qualify for assistance to help pay my monthly electric bills, but I don't apply for that assistance, since I don't feel like I really need it. However, if I felt like I really needed that assistance in order to help pay my electric bills, I would definitely apply for it! Therefore, I feel that you should give charity if possible, and accept charity if needed, if that feels right to you. –Paul Whiting (written approximately on May 11th, 2015, then turned into 'my writing' from my notes on July 20th, 2022, then turned into an update from the aforementioned writing on July 25th, 2022 and revised April 17th, 2023)

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My Writing About Giving Alms To The Poor: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

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My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this prose can be summed up with the following statement: Take care of all of your own needs first, so that you have the ability to help others also, if that is possible and desirable for you.

By the way, this post was originally published the day after Christmas, December 26th, 2015, on my "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" blog: hence, the reference to the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas" through the image illustrating this post, along with an encyclopedia entry quote below regarding Christmas carol, both of which are from Wikipedia.

And this prose was also published on my "Paul Whiting — Math Magician" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this prose applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — Math Magician."

This prose was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://paulwhitingmath.blogspot.com

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"Good King Wenceslas" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable one-time donation if they are requesting donations when I am on their website):

"'Good King Wenceslas' is a Christmas carol that tells a story of a Bohemian king going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the Second Day of Christmas). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by following the king's footprints, step for step, through the deep snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935). The name Wenceslas is a Latinised version of Old Czech 'Venceslav'."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_King_Wenceslas

"Alms" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable one-time donation if they are requesting donations when I am on their website):

"Alms or almsgiving involves giving to others as an act of virtue, either materially or in the sense of providing capabilities (e.g. education) for free. It exists in a number of religions and regions..."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms

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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 300 was edited on July 29th, 2026.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 123: For Nancy who offered me help when I was homeless

(Image from Lighthouseinn-ct.com)

A Special Place In Heaven

Like a lighthouse in a great storm,
she took on a heavenly form, because
when "my ship was so very lost at sea,"
she was so very much there for me.
Through her kind thoughts, words
and deeds, she reached out in order
to help me see that my prayers were
being heard, according to God's Word.
For, I was without any shelter in a
truly cold swelter. And so, I had to pitch
a tent—past "the dark night" of my fear—
in a nature park, right where I could hear
the comments from the many passers by
—and quite a few were really quite snide—
about the "legality" of my living situation!
And that's why I feared getting a citation.
Besides that, living out in the open was
also scary for me, which is why I simply
could not believe just how much relief
that her hope and kindness could bring.
And, thus, I can attest that all of those who
grow closer to Our Lord God through His
Everlasting Covenant to truly express His
Love for us best—by being so kind and true—
have "A Special Place In Heaven!" And
their efforts will seem well spent when
they see just how their kindness toward
"the less fortunate" was so much in accord
with God's Plan for us to expand our idea
of how we should be living in order to
receive "His Heavenly Rewards." And that
is how God's Love is shown through our
good works—just like The Lord's Hand!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

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My Writing About Giving Alms To The Poor: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

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My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I wrote this poem after I was homeless for ten days in October of 2009!

And, for me, the toughest part about being homeless wasn't living outdoors, since I was basically "camping": it was the way that some people treated me, because I didn't have a place to live. [However, I should clarify that it never stormed while I was homeless, nor did it ever reach freezing temperatures; plus, I had money available to buy whatever I needed (the reader should know that I am HIV-positive and that I have full-blown AIDS) due to the fact that I am on "SSDI," or Social Security Disability Insurance.]

And while I was camping in a nature park in Portland, Oregon, I met this wonderful woman, Nancy, who offered to help me, since I didn't have a place to live!

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I was editing it on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer," "Small All White in the Forest" and "Three Dark Horses" blogs. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

A Special Place In Heaven

Like a lighthouse in a great storm,
she took on a heavenly form because,
when "my ship was so very lost at sea,"
she was so very much there for me...

...It was through her kind thoughts,
words and deeds that she reached out
to help me see that my prayers were
being heard, according to God's Word...

...For, I was without any shelter in a
truly cold swelter. And so, I had to pitch
a tent—past "the dark night" of my fear—
in a nature park, right where I could hear...

...the comments from the many passers by
—and quite a few were really quite snide—
about the "legality" of my living situation.
And that is why I feared getting a citation...

...Besides that, living out in the open was
also scary for me, which is why I simply
could not believe just how much relief
that her hope and kindness could bring...

...And, thus, I can attest that all of those who
grow closer to Our Lord God—through His
Everlasting Covenant to truly express His
love for us best—by being so kind and true...

...have "A Special Place In Heaven!" And
their efforts will seem well spent when
they see just how their kindness toward
"the less fortunate" was so much in accord...

...with God's Plan for us to expand our idea of
how we should be living in order to receive "His
Heavenly Rewards." And that is how God's Love is
shown by good works—just like The Lord's Hand!

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was also published on my "Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs (please see the hyperlinks below for the blogs), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest." Plus, I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through my new "The Oneness Of God" spiritual practice!

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://threedarkhorses.blogspot.com

https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com

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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 123 was edited on July 29th, 2026.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 078: The "Just Us" Of The Lord, Part 1 — More Than Just A Word

(Image by Paul Whiting)

More Than Just A Word

Being "thankful" is not merely having an
overly-full stomach, with your friends
and family gathered all around you,
on a celebratory autumn day;

Being "thankful" is also good food
filling, and warming, your empty belly,
with your fellow homeless people gathered
all around you, on any given day.

Being "grateful" is not just the sound of rain
dancing on the roof of your dry car—where
the most you have to worry about is being
ticketed for speeding within city limits;

Being "grateful" is also the rain singing on
the roof of a city-permitted tent city—where
you no longer have to worry about being
ticketed for camping within city limits.

Being "helpful" is not simply offering to
let a total stranger cut in line in front of
you, during the busy holiday season, in
order to give their tired feet some rest;

Being "helpful" is also offering to let a total
stranger stay in the unused camper in your
backyard, during the off-season, in order
to help them to get back on their feet.

Being "hopeful" is not always longing
for exceptionally long-lasting and loving
relationships, a consumer-driven lifestyle,
or even untold fame and fortune;

Being "hopeful" is also having hot,
nutritious food, being able to find
affordable housing, and praying to be
shown a little kindness along the way.

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

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My Writing About Giving Alms To The Poor: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I wrote this poem after I was homeless for ten days in October of 2009!

And, for me, the toughest part about being homeless wasn't living outdoors, since I was basically "camping": it was the way that some people treated me, because I didn't have a place to live. [However, I should clarify that it never stormed while I was homeless, nor did it ever reach freezing temperatures; plus, I had money available to buy whatever I needed (the reader should know that I am HIV-positive and that I have full-blown AIDS) due to the fact that I am on "SSDI," or Social Security Disability Insurance.]

And so, I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor."

By the way, the image illustrating this poem is "My Portable Condo," which was my portable housing for ten days, until I was able to get into 'hard housing,' so to speak, which was a tent city called "Dignity Village." Later on, I was able to get housing in a home that was operated by a straight married couple living there, where I rented out a room and lived with other individuals who were dealing with various housing-challenge issues. And, eventually, I moved into my current studio apartment, located in a low income housing apartment building, where I have lived since June of 2010.

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I was editing it on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer," "Small All White in the Forest" and "Three Dark Horses" blogs. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

More Than Just A Word

Being "thankful" is not merely having an
overly-full stomach, with your friends
and family gathered all around you,
on a celebratory autumn day;

Being "thankful" is also hot, nutritious
food filling and warming your empty belly,
with your fellow homeless people gathered
all around you, on any given day.

Being "grateful" is not just the sound of rain
dancing on the roof of your dry car—where
the most you have to worry about is being
ticketed for speeding within city limits;

Being "grateful" is also the rain singing on
the roof of a city-permitted tent city—where
you no longer have to worry about being
ticketed for camping within city limits.

Being "helpful" is not simply offering to
let a total stranger cut in line in front of
you, during the busy holiday season, in
order to give their tired feet some rest;

Being "helpful" is also offering to let a total
stranger stay in the unused camper in your
backyard, during the off-season, in order
to help them to get back on their feet.

Being "hopeful" is not always longing
for exceptionally long-lasting and loving
relationships, a consumer-driven lifestyle,
or even untold fame and fortune;

Being "hopeful" is also having hot,
nutritious food, being able to find
affordable housing, and praying to be
shown a little kindness along the way.

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was also published on my "Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs (please see the hyperlinks below for the blogs), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest." Plus, I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through my new "The Oneness Of God" spiritual practice!

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://threedarkhorses.blogspot.com

https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com

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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 078 was edited on July 29th, 2026.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 057: For The Day After Christmas 2021 — "Good King All-Of-Us"

(Image by Paul Whiting)

"Good King All-Of-Us"
[A "Good King Wenceslas" song lyrical adaptation]

Good King All-Of-Us traveled around,
whilst running winter's errands,
when the snow lay on the ground
cold and crisp as the air—and
dimly shone the sun all day—plus
the temperature wasn't changing,
when a poor man along our way
was outside 'cause he was "spanging."

Thither we went, his request to heed,
for we knoweth it and are telling,
yonder stranger is in need,
since the sidewalk is his dwelling!
Needeth he an offering of funds,
because the snow is like a mountain,
as the chill he tries to shun—which
is cold as a winter's fountain!

Giving him a smile with words so kind,
and for his needs he'll be tending,
thou and I shall know he's fine
as we offer him funds for spending.
Then, Good Kings, forth we'll go,
forth we'll go together,
through the rude winds wild lament
and the bitter weather...

...Sires, the night is darker now—and
the wind blows stronger—we shan't
fail their hearts, for we shall
help them out much longer!
Mark our footsteps good, We Kings,
while we assist them boldly;
we shall help the winter's rage
freeze their blood less coldly.

Then, as Masters we'll step and trod,
where the snow lays fraught out,
helping out those homeless folks
whom we Saints have sought out!
Therefore, Christian Faithful be sure,
money and compassion possessing,
we who now will bless the poor
shall ourselves be blessings!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

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My Writing About Giving Alms To The Poor: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

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My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: This poem is a lyrical adaptation of the Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas," which was written by John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore. And I wrote this adaptation in order to extol the virtues of helping the less fortunate, who are living on the streets—and who are in desperate need of "Alms for the Poor"—since they are homeless!

You see, I was homeless for ten days in October of 2009! And, for me, the toughest part about being homeless wasn't living outdoors, since I was basically "camping": it was the way that some people treated me, because I didn't have a place to live. [However, I should clarify that it never stormed while I was homeless, nor did it ever reach freezing temperatures; plus, I had money available to buy whatever I needed (the reader should know that I am HIV-positive and that I have full-blown AIDS) due to the fact that I am on "SSDI," or Social Security Disability Insurance.]

And so, I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "Alms to the Poor."

Thus, I wrote this lyrical-adaptation poem from the original Christmas song (along with another lyrical-adaptation poem titled, "They'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You," which is published on this blog), as a way to encourage everyone—who has the ability and the desire—to please consider helping homeless folks in a way that feels right to you, just like I do throughout the year by offering those homeless folks help-out money when I see them on the street!

And this poem was only published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog.

This poem was lyrically adapted in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

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"Good King Wenceslas" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable one-time donation if they are requesting donations when I am on their website):

"'Good King Wenceslas' is a Christmas carol that tells a story of a Bohemian king going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the Second Day of Christmas). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by following the king's footprints, step for step, through the deep snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935). The name Wenceslas is a Latinised version of Old Czech 'Venceslav'.

In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the 'Wenceslas' lyric, in collaboration with his music editor Thomas Helmore, and the carol first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, published by Novello & Co the same year. Neale's lyric was set to the melody of 13th-century spring carol 'Tempus adest floridum' ('Eastertime has come') first published in the 1582 Finnish song collection Piae Cantiones."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_King_Wenceslas

This poem was written as a lyrical adaptation of the original Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas," on December 23rd, 2021, December 25th, 2021 and December 26th, 2021.

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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 057 was edited on July 29th, 2026.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 056: For Christmas Day 2021 — They'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You (Or, "Homeless Folks Deserve A Merry Christmas Too!")

(Image by Paul Whiting)

They'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You

(Or, "Homeless Folks Deserve A Merry Christmas Too!")

[A "Blue Christmas" song lyrical adaptation]

They'll have a blue Christmas without you.

They'll be so blue, barely coping without you!

Your bright Christmas tree—so festively trimmed—
Won't feel the same, dear, if you're not helping them!

And when those cold snowflakes start falling,
That's when those winter shivers start calling!

You'll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white...
Though, they'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas!

But they'll be doing all right, if you give of your light...
Then, they'll have a true, true, true, true Christmas!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

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My Writing About Giving Alms To The Poor: I budget for "carrying cash" each month in my monthly budgets for any expenses that I may wish to pay for in cash. And I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor." –Paul Whiting (written December 26th, 2015, revised September 24th, 2019, revised December 23rd, 2021, revised December 24th, 2021, revised December 25th, 2021, revised December 26th, 2021 and revised July 6th, 2022)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I rewrote the original Christmas song "Blue Christmas," as a lyrical-adaptation poem, in order to extol the virtues of helping the less fortunate, who are living on the streets—and who are in desperate need of "Alms for the Poor"—since they are homeless!

You see, I was homeless for ten days in October of 2009! And, for me, the toughest part about being homeless wasn't living outdoors, since I was basically "camping": it was the way that some people treated me, because I didn't have a place to live.

However, I should clarify that it never stormed while I was homeless, nor did it ever reach freezing temperatures; plus, I had money available to buy whatever I needed (the reader should know that I am HIV-positive and that I have full-blown AIDS) due to the fact that I am on "SSDI," or Social Security Disability Insurance.

And so, I budget—specifically—to use some of my carrying cash to help homeless folks who are panhandling, or "spanging" (which is a term that is a blend of the word 'spare' plus the word 'change' from the phrase, "Do you have any spare change?" or the phrase, "Can you spare any change?") and that is how I give "alms to the poor."

Thus, I wrote this lyrical-adaptation poem from the original Christmas song (along with another lyrical-adaptation poem titled, "Good King All-Of-Us," which is published on this blog), as a way to encourage everyone—who has the ability and the desire—to please consider helping homeless folks in a way that feels right to you, just like I do throughout the year by offering those homeless folks help-out money when I see them on the street!

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I decided to include all homeless folks as the subject of the poem, instead of just one homeless male. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

He'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You!

(Or, "Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Of Blue")

[A "Blue Christmas/Pretty Paper" songs lyrical adaptation]

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue.

Wrap your presents to your darling from you;

Pretty pencils to write "I love you!"

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue.

Crowded street, busy feet hustle by him,

Christmas shoppers are just rushing by.

There he sits, all alone, on the sidewalk,

Hoping that you won't pass him by.

Should you stop? Better not, much too busy!

You're in a hurry; my how time does fly by.

In the distance the ringing of laughter;

And in the midst of the laughter he cries...

---------------------------------------------

...So, he'll have a blue Christmas without you.

He'll be so blue, barely coping without you!

Your Christmas tree, so beautifully trimmed,

Won't feel the same, if you're not helping him!

And when those cold snowflakes start falling,

That's when those cold shivers start calling!

You'll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white.

But he'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas!

You'll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white.

But he'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas...

---------------------------------------------

...Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue.

Wrap your presents to your darling from you;

Pretty pencils to write "I love you!"

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue.

Crowded street, busy feet don't hustle by him,

Christmas shoppers aren't just rushing by.

There he sits, not-so-alone, on the sidewalk,

Knowing that you won't pass him by.

So you stop—though you know that you're busy!

You're in a hurry; but so is Santa when he flies.

From your hand the ringing of spare change;

And in the midst of the ringing he sighs...

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was only published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog.

This poem was lyrically adapted in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

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"Blue Christmas (song)" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable one-time donation if they are requesting donations when I am on their website):

"'Blue Christmas' is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and most famously performed by Elvis Presley; it was first recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948. It is a tale of unrequited love during the holidays and is a longstanding staple of Christmas music, especially in the country genre."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Christmas_(song)

This poem was written as a lyrical adaptation from the original Christmas songs, "Pretty Paper" and "Blue Christmas," on September 28th, 2021.

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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 056 was edited on July 29th, 2026.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]