MotherReader

Before I introduce today’s Christmas songs as poetry, let me make sure that you are well aware of the fantastic Carnival of Children’s Literature that is up at Big A, little a. It’s all about books that would make great gifts, so there are tons and tons of great recommendations there for the holidays and beyond. DO NOT MISS IT!

Now, Poetry Friday is hosted today at AmoxCalli, and I wanted to put in a little something different, as I love to do. These are two of my favorite alternative-type Christmas songs — the ones that get the most play on my iPod. First, “River,” from Joni Mitchell:

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don’t snow here
It stays pretty green
I’m going to make a lot of money
Then I’m going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

Since I’ve become a parent, Christmas has become as much a stressful time as a joyful time, and there are periods when I just want a river to skate away on. Read the rest of the lyrics here.

I love this next song for its chutzpah (can you use the word “chutzpah” about a Christmas song?) and clever ironic tone. Oh, and it has a great beat that you can dance to. Here’s Simple Plan’s “My Christmas List”:

Santa is coming tonight
And I want a car, and I want a life
And I want a first class trip to Hawaii
I want a lifetime supply
Of skittles & slurpees and Eskimo pies
I want a DVD, 
A big screen TV
Just bring me things that I don’t need

’Cuz now it’s Christmas
And I want everything
I just can’t wait
Christmas
So don’t stop spending
I want a million gifts,
That’s right
Don’t forget my Christmas list tonight

Listen to it and you’ll fall in love with the irony too, I’ll bet you. Lyrics are here.

Some bloggers are taking off for the holidays, but not me. I’ve got a ton of Cybils books on my shelf and those puppies aren’t going to review themselves. So before and after the holidays, be looking for some suggestions to blow your gift card on, or to return the Steve Martin book at Borders in exchange for one of these. However if you’re heading offline for the week, then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!