Christmas Night

All is calm, it is Christmas night
Time almost still in reverence
Shutters pulled, streets empty, bare
A Holy silence reigning
Holding it's presence to celebrate a birth.

Panic over, presents exchanged
Fairy lights peep through drapes
Little ones tucked in - depleted
Weary Mums sleep in easy chairs
Dad's still playing with toy trains.

Children come home from abroad
To rekindle after years of parting
They tell safe tales of life and travels
Mothers weep, joy and sadness
They look back, they look forward.

Fridges bulge with turkeys and ham
Free range this and free range that.
Fruit cakes iced with winter whiteness
Decked with ribbons on festive tables.
Empty port bottles awaiting recycle.

Newly weds share their first Christmas
Some couples share their last.
Thousands of red candles flicker.
Youths play board games and charades
In some homes all hell breaks loose.

The Queen of England is on television
She speaks of God and of the economy.
The homeless man is sleeping
Somewhere in the Kerry mountains.
A friend took him his Christmas dinner.

Adeste Fideles plays out the night
A leaf blows down the sleepy street
The festive lights sway in the breeze
Christmas night is closing in.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Guzzi Avatar
October 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM
ahh a traditional Xmas! Light & Love
Strand Avatar
February 16, 2009 at 9:05 AM
A novelette in verse Deirdre.Nice one Rgds Brian & thanks for your welcome comments
Haniff Avatar
February 10, 2009 at 3:54 PM
congrats on this wonderful xmas poem being featured this week!...Maryam
Brown Avatar
February 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week. Love, Carol
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
February 10, 2009 at 6:42 AM
Congratulations Deirdre, on this Well written Christmas Poem being featured this week. God Bless. Vince
P. Avatar
February 9, 2009 at 12:41 AM
beautiful christmas it is! ~ Arany
Strand Avatar
February 9, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Congrats on your feature this week Deirdre.Rgds Brian
Jordan Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Deirdre - Wonderful Christmas Poem - Congrats on being featured - God Bless, mj
Swanson Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Nice use of imagery, I thought you captured well the Christmas season in its various aspects. Congrats on being featured this week! :) Love, Amy
 Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 3:53 PM
What a wonderful holiday poem. Beautiful! Congratulations on having your poem featured. I wish you continued success with your writing. Karen
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
January 26, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Nicely done. A special time all over the world. Thanks for your kind remarks. I have special memories of Cobh and Cork from "93 with the US Navy. I guess I talked about it so much, my son decided he would visit next year. God Bless. Vince
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 11, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Reminiscent of Dylan's 'A Child's Christmas in Wales.' Rich descriptions and vivid imagery. Well done Deidre! Best wishes, Keith
Golden Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 7:24 PM
This is lovely, Deirdre! I can feel all that you bring to life here! Donna G.
Kelly Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 1:37 AM
And I hope that man in the red suit , put something very nice in your stocking !!! ... And a Ho Ho Ho , to you for 2009 ....
Richards Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 2:29 PM
All is coming to a close for another year. Beautifully portrayed in your poem. Well done! ~ Carrie
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