Jerry Brotherton Poet Free verse

My Childhood Christmas

The folded corners and wrinkled pages
of catalogs that were tattered and ripped
From the first of October until late in December
we drooled,
we fawned,
we lusted, 
we swooned and giggled
mutilating each page
until the pictures faded.

Sears and Roebuck, 
Monkey Wards 
JC Penny’s, 
Macy’s, Mattingly’s, K-mart.
Our wish list grew long
more than one sheet could hold
tears welled up with each toy crossed out.
Until the list was whittle down 
Though the likelihood of getting any was nill.

But still
That’s why we called it the book of wishes.
If wants and wishes were hugs and kisses
There would be no need 
to thumb through the pictures
and dream.
Perhaps imagination was the best Christmas gift

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Linda Alice Fowler December 22, 2023 at 7:22 AM This is a wonderful memory Jerry. I remember being able to pick out my own pair of shoes one Christmas - from Sears catalog. I was 9. I chose a pair of turquoise slip ons that were decorated with "jewels". Not practical at all, LOL, but my parents bought them for me anyway and I loved them. I agree that the imagination is best. :)

Hiya Sharma December 19, 2023 at 4:47 AM Oh my.. This is such a lovely poem that takes one back to the nostalgia of childhood days.. Those were really filled with magic and enchantment of wishes & the hope that someday those wishes will be fulfilled and until then, the hearts kept dreaming of them in imaginations.. I really love the ending here. It's so full of warmth! :) Jerry Brotherton December 19, 2023 at 12:13 PM Thank you Hiya.

Silent One December 18, 2023 at 12:43 PM I think many children were the same in those days... the best things in life are free... especially warmth of family love.. Jerry Brotherton December 18, 2023 at 6:31 PM You are so right, my friend. Now, the simplest toy cost at least an arm if not the leg too.

Deb M December 18, 2023 at 9:59 AM Oh Jerry….incredibly lovely poem about your childhood Christmas! Simple , exciting and joyful! Debx

Regina Mcintosh December 18, 2023 at 6:23 AM Yes. Imagination surely lit up the child's heart during those Christmas wishes - the wishbook was surely an amazing gift. God bless you always. Wonderful moments portrayed in your poem. God bless you, love, Gina Jerry Brotherton December 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM Thank you for your lovely comment, Gina. What I remember most is the huge gathering of people that I only got to see a couple of times a year. Such fun times.

Tom Cunningham December 18, 2023 at 5:00 AM Sadly today the true meaning of Christmas has faded and become too commercialised. It should be about families coming together and yes a bit of Santa magic for the young kids. Tom Jerry Brotherton December 18, 2023 at 6:27 PM For us, an orange in our stocking was like a gift from heaven. Have a merry Christmas, my friend.