It was Christmas Eve 1949 and my Daddy was home from the sea.
We made paper chains and lanterns to hang on our little tree.
Daddy was home on leave, he said and didn’t have to go back yet
Until the end of the year so it’ll be the best Christmas ever, I bet.
I had never had my Daddy home before at Christmas time.
I’ve always missed him so much, like Peter and Timmy Rhyme,
Jenny Trip, Peggy Roe and Jill Chant in the road up past the square.
Their Dad’s got posted to heaven and they don’t get leave from there.
That seems very sad to me and I have even seen them cry.
My Dad came all the way from Japan, is that farther than the sky?
We went to Granny’s house for tea and I had to wear a skirt.
(If my cousins took the mick out of me I would deck them in the dirt.)
That Brian did the same this year and ate till he was sick.
Horrid Christine bit me on my arm and I belted her with a stick.
Later, when the men came home, all smelling strange with beer
The ladies laughed and cuddled us and Granny called us “ Dear”.
Then when things got really good and everyone danced in pairs
Two of the boys got into a fight and we all got sent up stairs.
We all got tucked into a great big bed, boys at the end and us at the top.
“It’s Christmas in the morning”, we were told “so the noise had better stop”.
I gradually noticed that the whole house was very quiet and dark,
I reached over and turned on my light and woke up with a start.
I was in my own bed, in my house, how on earth did I get there?
On the end of the bed were colourful parcels and presents everywhere.
I ran in to wake my Mummy and Daddy to come in and quickly see
All the fabulous wrapped presents that Santa had left for me.
Father Christmas was wonderful, how did he know where I’d stay?
It was almost five in the morning on the best ever Christmas Day.
We opened the presents then I fell asleep in Daddy’s warm embrace.
The first Christmas I can remember that put a smile upon my face.
A contest entry
- An Old Fashion Christmas by daviscth.
400 points, ended November 19, 2007, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - TEN THOUSAND POINTS OF RHYME! (now 12,000) by cricketjeff.
1850 points, ended December 4, 2007, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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"Then when things got really good and everyone danced in pairs
Two of the boys got into a fight and we all got sent up stairs."
Oh, this is such an endearing story.
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Congratulations on being a finalist in out first rhyming contest.
We're sorry that you didn't make it into the prizes, but we hope you'll join us for our other contests.
Thank you for your entry....Sue and Jeff -
I love to read a story that's written out in poetic form, and you have done an awesome job. You have a wonderful talent.
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PlainPoetic
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and commenting. It is so rewarding to know that other people like what you do.
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Well-what can I say? This was a joy to read - a beautiful insight into that time and feelings experienced-a truly exceptional write.xxx
Much luck go with you here.xx
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Thanks Hilly. I am pleased you liked that and I can remember it all so clearly, the big family parties at Granny's but when Gran went the family just fell apart and drifted to their own little groups.
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This is the most beautiful poem, I enjoyed it so much. Thank you for posting in my contest and all the best at judging. Cathy
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Good
You take a moment and construct a story around it. Your word choice is good and the message sent is strong and emotional. Your emotions lift themselves off the page and rest comfortably within the reader's heart. Your emotions and wit wrap themselves around your words and the effect is magic to the reader. Your words took stage and treated the reader to a glimpse of the love you hold for dad.
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Thank you for your comments Emile, much appreciated. There wasn't much around in England in those post war years but I was lucky, I still had my home intact and my Dad was a career Royal Navy man so Christmas with Dad at home was a rare joy though out all my childhood years.
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