White Christmas Takes Me Back

White Christmas takes me immediately back to my grandparent's
Christmas tree with the magical bubble lights, and the fat and
sassy ornaments.

I smell oyster stew, and see my uncles sneaking outside, 
but neither concerns me. 
No one is watching the children or the dessert table, 
where my siblings and my cousin and I are eating one 
homemade candy after another - divinity, fudge, and peanut brittle.

My mother is sitting with the other aunts, listening to Aunt M, 
my largest aunt, who hands them each a Christmas letter that
says her six children have all won the Bronze in a winter Olympic, 
and they are the top of all the classes in the world.


There are gifts under the tree, and we are pushing each other 
into them, to try and see if we can break some open so we can 
have a little preview of what is to come. No one is watching. 
There are too many of us crowded in here.


Grandpa is sitting in a the parlor, a little tiny room, 
off to the side, watching the radio, as it plays Christmas carols. 

We never know where Grandma will turn up. She is running around 
the world's smallest house the entire time we are here, dropping hugs, 
and kisses, giving us gentle looks, rolling her eyes and such.


I get here too late to care if there is any snow until my older 
cousin coaxes me outside and I see the glistening whiteness.  

 Is it too dark to take one sled ride down the hill? Pretty soon, all six of the oldest cousins are out there, without enough clothes, getting frostbitten toes, and loving every single second of it.

I look into the sky and see God up there, and Jesus, and know they orchestrated this once again. I never realized when I grew up how much I would miss this, but of course, I do.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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

Kiser Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 6:37 AM
Of course! What a wonderful poem full of memories; I'll get you had the greatest times together. Wonderful.
Krutsinger Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 7:22 AM
We did have a lot of fun, especially the 4 oldest; we lorded our age over the youngers.
Cunningham Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 3:08 AM
Beautiful memories Caren that live on and surface every Christmas. Tom.
Krutsinger Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 3:35 AM
Thank you Tom. It was a magical time, the world's smallest house with the world's loudest people and 21 first cousins. Nothing like it!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace