Christmas Memories #1 (Collection of some DU poets & some others)

New York City Christmas

Freezing snow bejewels our hats
from Macys up to Central Park
as horse-drawn carriages delight
and roasting chestnuts scent the night
We’re captives rapt in mystery
ever bound invisibly
‘tis the season of humanity
sugar plums and nutcrackers
dazzle from department stores
we peer into these magic worlds
that mirror true the human heart
which giveth love and knoweth joy

1984, Heart of Palms Motel

She cleans rooms by day,
Telemarkets by night,
Rent leaves little
For the holiday,

Shoplifted cookie dough,
Some chocolate chips
Stuffed under my shirt,

We make due
With warmth,
Love and laughter

Evening Song

I knew I had a sister when
I went downstairs on Christmas Eve
and saw my granny sitting there.
She'd been roped in to keep the store
while Dad rushed Mum to hospital.

My stepmother, that was, and half-sister...
I don't recall how Christmas Eve was spent
once news of what Santa had brought was known.
Successive Eves would not suffix a pleasant year...
But one Xmas bauble, at least, remains aloft.

Goblet of hope raised to the end of the worlds

Are you the magician? Shaking off each dust corn fallen upon each star.
He tells me he is winter as I wait for snowmen growing hearts and icicles
I wonder what the sun has told the moon as they unite in sacred marriage

Fragile footprints forming tiny brass bells gallant chivalries
snow elves ember estuaries rivulet streams
my breath draws wild white lilied

My window is the widest farther further than each breath from frosty dragons
I grace embrace trace place unfolding beholding miracles
Once more we embrace all dark before solstice

A Bruise to Remember
(Christmas Eve 1995)

Had to work late so I missed Christmas dinner
As I walked around a corner going to the carpenter shop
Someone yelled out to me Merry Christmas
As I yelled back thanks
I walked into a hitch on the back of a jeep
Ripped my favorite pants and got a giant bruise on my shin
Bruise got larger and larger
Went to the on-site doctor
He gave it a fancy name and said it will be gone in 6 weeks
Amazingly it did, last vestiges of black and blue
Gone 6 weeks to the day
A Christmas to remember

“O’ Christmas Tree
My Christmas Tree”

The sparkle and majesty
My eyes are agleam

Nothing compares to your magic
All things imagined become real

Each ornament a treasured memory
Of family and friends, past and present

Reverent and graceful
I dance amidst your branches

Thus, the season begins ~
Merry Christmas

Frosty

I remember being 10
and sitting there, restless,
waiting for my dad and the presents.
I remember being 11
and sitting there, quiet,
and knowing that despite the gifts
there would be no father ever again.

To Nana Jones

Your wedding dress
1938
Stored
In the attic
Eaves above
Where I slept
From 3 (Xmas when you died)
‘til 2003
Did you take the buttons off?
It fits me like skin
Colour of pearl
Angel fallen
From brilliantly
Lit tree

Christmas 2015

Kew gardens in a penguin jumper
Looking at the blazing lanterns,
With creepy faces.
A pair of Star Wars build a bears
Dancing around the bedroom
An average day worth clinging to!
Then David Bowie died
An incompetent abhorred me
And my London Christmas
Was my last London Christmas.

Fairytale of New Yorkshire

The bastard duly came at night
Stealing Santa swapping gifts for punches
Mam’s eye brayed tattie sized.
‘Nowt wrong with me son,’
As tears carved turkey.