Please stretch your memory back in time
To Christmas eve beside the fire
Warming our fingers and toes in the hearth
Watching amber flames grow higher.
Our mother told us such magical stories
While we devoured hot mince pies
The faraway tree and dear old Enid Blyton
Oh..how we listened with our eyes.
We were cosy and snug by the fireside
While outside the snow grew thicker
Father would turn on the Christmas tree lights
We'd watch them dance and flicker.
Big mugs of hot cocoa before bed time
Then our father would have his say
Now come on you kids it's time to count sheep
Tomorrow there's more time to play.
So we climbed up the stairs two by two
To the land where dreams are free
We listened for sleigh bells and old Santa Claus
Right at the top of that faraway tree.
Please say you remember it sister dear
Say you cherished each Christmas day
Well how silly of me, how could you ever forget
When you were born on the Lord's birthday.
Author notes
FIRESIDE.... made me think of Christmas as a child with my sister Carol who was born on Christmas day...hence the name! Christmas Carol.
A contest entry
- Who can Object by Legend.
1800 points, ended November 15, 2007, 14 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 31 of 31
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i remember reading this too
a wonderufl piece.. liked this the first time i read and again i do..
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Beautiful
I can empathize here very well ... my wife of 45 years, Joy, was born on Christmas Day! So, PP, your Fireside thoughts have impressed this reader. Lovely rhymed ballad-like poem of childhood magic.
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Beautiful written. Christmas is a few months away but the weather is not much better this easter. Times like that it feels so cosy to sit close to the fireplace. Read a book or listen to stories.
Now with the kids growing and a little older I enjoy it very much to just sit there with my laptop and write down my thoughts.
I have enjoyed reading this one very much
Good luck in the contest
Herman
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A poem depicting the message of every Christmas and reminding us what it's all about. This was a joy to read.
All the best in the contest...Sue
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Oh you just have me in a tear drop roll. Ho Ho WHAHHHHH! 
Wonderful entry. Best of luck. ~Pamela 
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Beautiful and sentimental thoughts here!
Lovely!!!
Best wishes!
Lynda
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Another wonderful entry from you. You are so talented. I am truly enjoying reading all of your poems again. ~ Sue
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I have to agree with the other comments, you have certainly shown why you've won so many challenges. Another wonderful work!
e~
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I can certainly see why your name is listed amoung the Gold winners so many times here. My only problem will be trying to figure out which of these amazing works to vote for
Ruth
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how lovely to call your sister "christmas carol" ! a truly heartwarming verse of gentle memories in her honor ...
maa
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maa..Thank you dearly.
Shaz xx
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Wonderful memories
written so well. I hope your sister read and enjoyed them with you. Again my best to you in this contest, you who are a most prolific writer!
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welcome back good luck in the contest
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This is a very beautiful poem. I absolutely love it. Keep up the excellent work, and I look forward to reading more from you as my time permits. Keep the ink flowing and God bless you in everything you do and write.
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Thank you so very much.
Shaz xx
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I knew.. I was in for some real poetry as I clicked on this.. Lovely.. Dear old Enid Blytons.. and lands where dreams are free.... Fantastic. I would love to read this again.. Well done Shaz..
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THis was just what I was in the mood to read, this got me in the wonderful spirit of Christmas and made me visualize everything about it, great poem, love the imagery, I could smell the fireplace
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Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shaz xx
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wow!
this poem gave me such a warm feeling. I really enjoyed this read. It is brilliant she is bron on Christmas.
the poem is cute then at the end it ends off in irony yet funny.
best of wishes in the contest!
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Lovely write
How you brought out the beauty we are often gkessed with in life...mac
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Brilliant!!!
This is splendidly evocative and takes me right back to childhood Christmas, although I had to look up Enid Blyton, no trouble, and my fault, not yours. Love this one.
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Oh..how we listened with our eyes.
What a lovely line. You took me back to many years to my childhood in England. those times were so special and, as children I believe my sister and I realised that even then. I doesn't take much to transport me back to my halycon days as a child but you managed to take me, warm me and bring my family along too. A lovely poem of happy memories and special time. Just lovely Von
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Thank you very much.
Shaz xx
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My wife, Joy, was born on Christmas day!
I think open fires go back to the times of cave men! And, at Christmas (or heathen Yuletide) they certainly brought cheer, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. With Carbon trading, firesides will probably get the boot. lol.
Thasnk you for your nostalgic poem.
Lyndon.
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Thank you very much for your comments.
Shaz xx
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wow..
This is beautiful! The most I can hope for now is silver,because this one has gold written all over it!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments..erm I'm not too sure about this one lol.There's some lovely work in the contest.
Shaz xx
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Dear Shaz you transported me back in time with this one Every word i lived as a kid.While still loving Christmas a little of the magic disappeared when open fires became a thing of the past.It seemed to denote Christmas. Umm mams hot mince pies No one has managed to manufacture any that come even close.
Set me a place at your hearth i will be there for Christmas diner Good luck in the contest
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Awe Legend.. those were the days when everything was so simple, yet times were hard!.. we never had much money as kids, but when christmas time came around you can bet we enjoyed the simple comforts around us and a lot of the entertainment was self made, not like today when money has taken over the whole aspect of Christmas. We were always thrilled with the books and little board games we got for Christmas...my mam would always put a sixpence and an orange in the bottom of the pillowcase..can you imagine the looks on the kids faces today at that! lol. Thanks so very much for your lovely comments and for sharing the memory.
Shaz xx
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classic! loved it... I still wanna experience snow
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Awe thank you Aj...and I'll put some in a sack and send it over if I ever see any again lol...the winter is not delivering snow like it used to do
Shaz xx
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