Christmas 1952

Christmas 1952 By Franklin Price 12/24/2015 Christmas 1952, I'm almost sure that's right Memory's a little clouded, it was Christmas eve at night There was no tree with lights aglow, no presents I could see Had Santa Claus forgotten us, especially little me? The radio was playing a Christmas melody For we would not have a TV 'til 1953 My mother said, “It's getting late, Santa's on his way. He will not stop, if you don't sleep, will have no presents Christmas day” I was young but was not stupid, so I quickly went to bed As I drifted off to dreamland, I heard sleigh bells in my head Had left some milk and cookies where I thought he'd put the tree Santa decorated for us, for my family and me Didn't question where he found the time or why it was that way Just knew that I would find it there, come Christmas morning day. Had been warned to stay in bed, not even try to peek Santa might not leave the presents and I'd be up the creek I stayed in bed and went to sleep, though I didn't think I could Didn't want to miss my presents, 'cause I knew that I'd been good Woke up early Christmas morning, was long before the light Went into my parents' room, woke them up, 'twas only right “Has Santa left me presents and a decorated tree?” They sleepily got out of bed, said, “let's go down the stairs and see” Of course I did not wait for them, I no longer was a tike The tree was lit and beside it was a twenty incher bike! This was what I had told Santa when I sat upon his knee “I'm old enough to ride two wheels, let a bike my present be” (I really didn't talk that way but this story has to rhyme With that I'll end this Christmas poem of another day and time) I hope your Christmas memories are at least as good as mine We never had much money but Christmas was so fine Santa found a way to make the memories quite dear I look back in awe, and wonder how he did it year to year