The Bell Ringer

In front of the store Sits a wrinkled old man Weathered of life Wrinkled of hand Ringing a bell Projecting a smile A far away family Many a mile He's a part of the festivities The holidays, the mood Shoppers rush by Appearing to be rude But still the bell ringer Rings the bell Ringing in the present There's a future to foretell If no one drops a coin Or tosses a buck Many unfortunates Down on their luck Won't get a present Or a tasty turkey dinner Yet, the person who is serving Is really the winner A woman in a hurry Spots the old man Weathered of life Wrinkled of hand She stops by to talk Though she hasn't much time Since when did being thoughtful Become such a crime She pats him on the back He has stories to tell He shares them for a while Then starts ringing the bell The woman in a hurry Smiles with a wink Together they shared A holiday drink Not one with wine Whiskey or beer But a holiday drink Of good will and good cheer What is the purpose? My friend, you might say If by serving yourself You're in your own way The holidays are not Just about feeding you But making sure that others Are eating too Not only during the holidays But throughout the year Every servant should serve God makes that real clear The bell ringer rang Till the department store closed The shift of the bell ringer Comes and goes He went home to a mattress That lies on the floor Pajamas with holes Were the night clothes he wore He thanked the Lord humbly For the food on his plate Though a roll and some rice Were all that he ate He bowed his head in prayer Then slipped off to sleep In God's Holy Place He sees this and weeps But God hears the bells That the bell ringer rings He sees all the good That the bell ringer brings God saw the bell ringer And the woman who stopped to talk Each one a servant Walking the walk A servant lives to serve Not to be served like kings And it's truly in service That the bell ringer rings... Jan Bagwell God Bless