Ten Years Old That Christmas Day
I went to sleep on Christmas Eve and woke up in the past
With cotton footed jammies on, that I was ten when I wore last
I saw a man who looks like me, who I realized was my Dad
Sitting in front of the fireplace, holding my Mom and looking glad
The Christmas tree was standing tall; bubbling candles string of lights
Seven piles of presents scattered there, awaiting the kids asleep at night
Johnny and Jimmy in the next door room; brother, Tommy in the bunk below
Cathy and Patsy at the end of the hall, baby Jenny rocked in a cradle slow
Snow was covering the mountain top where we had been sledding all that week
No school to keep us busy, the cold adding a redness to our cheek
I could sense my cloak of innocence; I could taste my excitement for the coming day
I still clung onto the Santa myth – the year before it slipped away
Johnny was so small for his age, but played sports with the best of them
Jimmy already had his art hanging up all around the family den
Cathy still slept with her baby dolls; Tommy stood smaller than me
Patsy wore her tom-boy smile; we all took care of little baby Jenny
A tear came to my eye just then, realizing soon I would be back in the present time
And this scene from forty-five years ago is just a memory lost inside of my mind
Then I realized that tomorrow morning will paint a memory for our youngest son
And a smile lit up my face again as I said, “Goodbye” to everyone
Johnny is now a Grandfather and respected Doctor in his trade
Jimmy left us far too young but a difference he really made
Cathy is taking care of Mom who, in turn, takes care of her
Tommy takes care of everyone and is full of life and character
Patsy still wears her tom-boy smile – the best athlete of the bunch
Jenny is the pride of all of us – I kind of had that as a hunch
And Dad is now a few years gone, though I still talk to him every day
Feeling the love I saw in his eyes when I was ten years old that Christmas Day
Copyright © Joe Flach | Year Posted 2013
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment