There was something magic to be found
at Christmas in Victorian England --
yule logs would smoke and mistletoe abound,
skating, sleigh rides, and merry bells jinglin'.
Each fireplace sported a stocking or two
and children left mince pies and brandy
so Father Christmas could sample the brew
and leave cunning toys and some candy.
But if the child were a bad girl or boy,
there was often a bit of a hitch.
The morning might find no candy or toy,
just some coal or a hickory switch.
In the main though, Christmas was jolly,
with candles and crackers * and holly.
Author notes
* Christmas crackers are a party favorite in England. Conceived in 1850 by a
London confectioner called Tom Smith whilst sitting in front of his log fire. His attention was
focused on the sparks and cracks emanating from the flames when suddenly he thought
what an added attraction it would be if his sweets and toys could be revealed with a crack
when their fancy wrappings were pulled in half. Traditionally we find within each cracker
a colourful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke.
What did you think?
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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sweet
Like the rhyme,like the innocence of this piece. The last two lines being out of line seems odd,but apart from this,I enjoyed this poem. -
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Sonnets often indent the last two lines ...
as I did here.
Thanks for the kind words.
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Thank you for your entry in the contest. Christmas in August, now there's a thought ... a lovely little poem that made both judges smile, thanks.
Sue and Jeff
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Not only the poem is good , but the follow-up was intresting too. Well done.
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This should give 'T'was the night before Christmas' a good run for its money.
Can't wait til the book comes out!
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So...the font/background combo was sort of hard to read. Anywho, BRILLIANT near rhyme with England and jinglin' (at least I think so). I enjoyed the scene this set and read it twice. Almost makes me wish it was December...almost.
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Life is fleeting ...
December will come soon enough.
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We had Christmas crackers for the first (and so far only) time in 1999, and they were just as you described. I had previously seen pictures of them, but had no notion of what they contained. It wasn't until I read through some of the other comments that I realized you had added the ending g's to the words, having seen it the other way last night, and I must say I like it better.
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We always had Christmas Crackers too..... what a great tiem to write a Christmas Poem, when we are not so resentful of the weather....
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Yes ...
I always celebrate Christmas in July.
Thanks for stopping by.
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lovely take on Christmas
Made me walk into the past at Christmas time , I could hear the crackle of the log in the fire, feel the room around me ; stockings hung ,of two,the scent of sweets and mince pies and brandy..wonderful ,mystical tale of
a festive time bygone.
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Actually ...
there are still many who try to base their Christmas celebrations on Victorian times even today. Of course, no horses and sleighs in the main, but other things can be duplicated.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Outstanding
I thought this was well-written with a fine blend of traditional themes. I liked the last couplet and your choice of language giving the real flavour of Christmas. You have written a fine poem that speaks out. Well-done.Best of luck in the contest.
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One heck of a write here, bro. And here I thought 'Christmas in July' was a thing of the past. LOL Write on and good luck.
Dez
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Well ...
the prompt is "old".
Thanks for the kind words.
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I like this--it's cheerful, bouncy and rhymes well. I wonder, though, why you omit the "g" in words such as smoking, stocking and cunning? I don't think those omissions add anything to an otherwise fine poem.
Bill
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Yes ...
I had been mulling that over and decided to go with the "g"s, even though not with England and jinglin'.
Thanks for stopping by.
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