The Worst Christmas I Ever Had

I was twelve years old and it was the Christmas Season.
We were on our best behavior; you know the reason.
Christmas decorations were taken down from storage.
Some of them were from last year; some of them were vintage.

Dad brought in the Christmas tree, a fragrant Douglas fir.
Mom put on twinkle lights while listening to our banter.
The three of us, laughing, imaginations unbound.
Jumping up and down with festivities all around.

One by one, we put on bulbs and talked of seasons past.
We sang a few Christmas songs; we were having a blast.
Logs burning in the fireplace warmed us very well.
Happiness was all around until I told this tale.

When I was just a youngster, seven or eight years back.
Christmas Eve, many years before, I shared the flashback.
The babysitter kept me up, my brother in bed.
She made me promise not to tell or I would be dead!

One by one, we opened each gift there beneath the tree.
I knew that it was wrong, because I was older than three.
I felt afraid, but she was so nice, a friend to me.
She re-wrapped every gift and my parents did not see!

I kept my mouth shut all of those years; then came the guilt.
I confessed to Mom; all of a sudden, life went tilt!
Santa won't bring presents; I felt like a doormat.
All you will get is a bag of coal; think about that.

Every time presents arrived, mine would disappear.
I did not believe in Santa Clause, but I felt fear!
Mounds of gifts were piled around; none of them were for me.
Wrath befell me for years past under the Christmas tree.

Solemnly, the weeks went past and I felt very sad.
I guess I deserved it after all; I had been bad.
On Christmas day, postal gifts returned along with one more.
The bag of switches from Santa Clause, I still abhor.

© November 14, 2010
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Written for: your "Saddest" Christmas Ever Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France ~ A Rambling Poet ~
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Brown Avatar
December 7, 2010 at 5:20 AM
Congratulations on your win Dane Ann in Constance's "Saddest Christmas Ever"contest. Love,Carol
Null Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 9:47 PM
That is a sad memory and it touched my heart. Congratulations on this win....Karla
Sweetheart Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 7:20 AM
Congrats Dane Ann on your big win in Constance's contest with this emotional write .. enjoy another top ten win my friend..
Mehta Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 6:16 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Constance, Dane
Richards Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 5:52 PM
A memory like this is one that keeps inside forever. Indeed for a child, this would be so sad. Congratulations on your winning poem! Love, Carrie
Devonshire Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 4:45 PM
You told me this story earlier, Dane, but it works so well in poetic form. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
La France Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Congratulatins on third place in my contest, I enjoyed this story very much, actually I did that one year also, found my presents unwrapped had a good look and rewrapped, no surprise on Christmas Day, it was awful, it was hard to look excited, my mother was worried, are you okay, dear heart she kept saying, oh the guilt~~
La France Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Thank you for supporting my contest, soup mail in a moment~~
Culverhouse Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 2:23 PM
sad thoughts...
Mehta Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Very gripping and sad story of the Christmas you have shared today with us. Good luck
Locksley Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 2:08 PM
You were just a child and following the lead of your babysitter. You didn't deserve this type of punishment, especially for revealing the truth after years had passed. This seems like unusually cruel punishment. What were the "switches"? Good luck in the contest with this sad write. Best to you, Diane
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