#3 Memories of Christmases Past

‘Twas early morn on Christmas Day

Her home a choir sings

Of jingle bells and timber crisps

And wisps of angel wings

All dressed in red and green she lie

Near fir or pine aglow

Each limb nigh full of bulb and string

With gifts still wrapped below

The blazing fire warmed her soul

It’s gaze entranced her eye

These moments precious did she know?

Will leave us by and by

But now still shone those candles bright

On window sill through pane

All night they burned whilst still it tried

That winds’ moist cold refrain

For sunrise shown new fallen snow

Atop the evergreen

A world of white for which she wished

Most glaring yet serene

She hung by flame as stockings do

Awaiting siblings rise

As soon we give and get each gift

A paper wrapped surprise

In turn would she then he then me

All open tear and find

Our presents writ “from mom and dad”

Response be love in kind

Then starts the bustle over stove

For soon begins thy fete

A feast for kings we must prepare

With course on course to plate

A haze essenced the kitchen air

A pungence savored well

Omniscient sapid garlic cloves

An ever present smell

Atop the table dressed in plaid

stood rows of glassware poured

Half-filled with wine a complex red

The clang of cheering roared

Enjoying loved ones simply here

Together spending time

In moments of most sacred kind

Remember auld lang syne

In days too soon will time take toll

With us reflecting fond

On days of yore rose polished pasts

But in the days beyond

Shall new tradition flourish fain

Among fresh folk and feire

With youthful longing true and fair

Have still a glad New Year