<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><b>“Black Friday”</b> by Jane Kauzlarich (my cousin, a retired teacher, in Hartley, Iowa)</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Black Friday, capitalist holiday,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Has been so black for me.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">I’m sitting here and worrying</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Don’t want a shopping spree.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">There’s a dog out there I know about,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Who needs a warm, safe shelter.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">While people with their credit cards,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Are scrambling helter-skelter.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">They’re filling up their shopping carts,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">And decorating trees,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">And I’m consumed with dread for him,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">And hoping he won’t freeze.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">And down the road, the homeless</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Are seeking warmth and food</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">While parents garner toys and junk</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">To satisfy their brood.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">What happened to compassion?</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Is it surpassed by greed?</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">When did our nation come to this?</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Do “things” mean more than need?</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">I’m hoping folks will give a thought,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">To charity next year,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">To helping out the needy ones,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">And giving with good cheer.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Sure, I’m a Pollyanna,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">But I can tell you this,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Helping out a needy soul,</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Is pure and lasting bliss.</p></div><div><br></div><div>———————————————</div><div><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div> </div></div></div></body></html>