Holly wreaths and mistletoe and snowmen in the park,
With gaily colored Christmas lights, banishing the dark --
All these and much, much more besides, in many special ways
Recall the happy times we had, each year on Christmas day.
Candles in the windows, and carolers by night,
And presents underneath a tree with canopy of white --
Sometimes on Christmas morning, by dawnlight's rosy hue,
It seemed as if the world really HAD been born anew.
Looking back across the years, I see in memory
A lot of special people who shared those times with me:
My mother in the kitchen or bustling all about
And my sister and my cousins running in and out.
I see dear aunts and uncles, and faces of old friends,
Captured in my mind's eye, like looking through a lens.
It seemed that there was magic about that time of year,
And to this day I feel it, almost every time I hear
The carols of the season, or bells on wintry air --
And contemplate the reasons we all were gathered there.
Author notes
These memories go back over half a Century.
Written December 19th, 2004
A contest entry
- Winklings Christmas Poems based on the Past ~ for Allpoetry by Lyndon.
1500 points, ended January 10, 2008, 8 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Winter/Christmas memories by HeavensNewestAngel.
550 points, ended December 1, 2008, 19 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 47 of 47
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This is wonderful. It has a happy, and cheery rhythm to it, and speaks of all the things that makes us think of the holidays and Christmas with joy and anticipation, even when the joy is fleeting and all else is meager. Good luck in the contest.
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This is a great poem you wrote. I am sorry you had a rough childhood but I am glad that you had such great christmast memories that you can remember today. I love the background you had chosen. Good luck in my contest!
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I can identify with much here
but that is not surprising as my memories go back over 60 years! My father, too, was a harsh man.
Well scanned, twinned rhymed couplet quatrains, poet.
Dear aunts and uncles always meant my father was well-behaved!
It is difficult for me to be objective. I share everything but the snow! I shall be though. Fine poem. Just the kind desired.
Ron.
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Thanks ...
but my father wasn't "harsh", he was crazy. He still is, but now he's got religion and that's even worse.
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Oh this is just gorgeous. I love the flow and rhyme in this and such vivid images you have penned of these memories. A wonderful write
Gaylene
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I love this background and the poem was really well done
Thank you for your entry. all the best for 2008
Becks
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Beautiful descriptions of the delights and warmth-stirring memories of the season. Nice meter and rhyming. I especially enjoyed lines 7 and 8!
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Oh, surely... so true
Memories of family and friends are the best, hopefully. A darling poem that is filled with lovely imagery.
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Ah, the feelings of the season...
Finely written and a lovely poem of sharing. 
Thank you for the author's notes, for it is added emphasis of the story you tell. BRAVO, poet friend.
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Powerful & Bittersweet
Fellow poet, these are some powerful & bittersweet words here. We are in the same boat, for each of us has been abused in some way. Thanks so much for entering this into the contest.
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Beautiful poem. And yes it did bring back memories. I think we had the same dad. hehe
Didn't get very much snow in central Texas. I do remember waking up one Christmas and it had snowed. There were a few little piles of snow along the walls that had come through the cracks. That old house was in bad shape.
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This really sings beautifully, Amazing imagery..
Very peaceful..smiles
Your Author notes really caught me by surprise..
An excellent entry...
Peace and many blessings
~A~
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Firstly, I am so sorry to read about what you said about your father in your author's notes, no one should have to go through that. But I would like to say that despite it all you seem to have kept your Christmas cheer, which makes me feel a bit selfish for losing it for no reason.
But this poem, the images you wrote about, did make me feel happier. Thank you. 
Chelsea
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No matter how awful ...
your life experiences were, there still comes a time when you have to put that all behind you and move on. Millions of people around the world have been through far worse than I went through, and really, I feel that I've been rather lucky that things weren't worse than they were. After all, I'm still alive. Many are not.
I have a website against genocide that nobody seems to visit any more, and that's unfortunate. People are so selfish and wrapped up in themselves that they don't care about the terrible things happening to others. It's very discouraging for me.
Anyway, thanks for the kind words and hopefully you will get back into the Christmas spirit soon.
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Congratulations on winning bronze!
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lol, No, but I love to sing! Unfortunately, nobody loves to hear me sing.
djc
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You don't write music, do you?
Thanks. -
Wonderfully stated, Jim. Truly, this could become a new christmas song! I'd sing it!
peace
doug
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long ago Christmas
This did bring back some of my childhood memories, of uncles and aunts and Christmas being a magic time , of peace and
hope just for awhile. -
I really enjoyed this poem...the imagery was lovely. One suggestion that I have is not capalizing all the letters in "HAD" to show stronger emotion...maybe choosing a different word that shows the same strong emotion without distracting from the text....that's the only thing I could find to critique in this poem, everything else about it was delightful! I loved the way you both started and ended this poem; I think those were my favorite parts. Great job on this, and the best of luck to you in my contest!
Amanda -
I have memories of snow on christmas day, it was always beautiful and felt like christmas, unfortunately those days have gone, but hopefully we will see more...Lovely write thanks for sharing
Hugs and Love
LindaXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
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Five Star***** Triple A+++
Your poem flows smoothly like a snow flake gently floating down the page. Whatever it was about Christmas that calmed your father...would be nice if it could have lasted the other 364 days as well.
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A wondeful memory you have here..I love your 3rd stanza...
one of my favorite parts of Christmas is thinking back on past Christmases..my mother, sister and I baking cookies together..it just isn't quite the same anymore...
lovely write..thank you for sharing and thank you for the comment on my Christmas Miracle..I appreciate it
~Kristy -
this was wonderful, read like a memory, I, being from New England and a large family of cousins, etc., and...Oh, just there is such a feel, for me, of memory, here, so beautifully written, in form with grace and still a voice that somehow resonates, in this one, almost as if in a reverie of sorts...
and then I see your note and I am so, so sorry...
hollow words, but...
I can only say that, now, having read a few of your works, that you seem to have such a gift and here, in a much differnt voice, sings softly, this, of the good times...past, yes...
Thank You, Jim D.
You are quite a poet and I maybe begin to see what your peers see in you...I am learning, always, but you seem to just flow, it all seems as if it simply came out...and even one unschooled knows that isn't anywhere near that easy, so...
simply, taken by your words...and
Thankful...
May the New Year Bring, at the least, all the best to you & yours...
michele
Edited on Dec 29, 6:50 p.m. because ''. -
This is a wonderful poem. I just love the imagery you created with each well place, manipulated word. You painted such a delightful scene and then to read your author comments, it felt like a knife to the gut. Very powerful emotions. I wish you a wonderful New Year full of the love and laughter of friends and family, enough wealth so that you need for nothing, and the good health to enjoy it all!
~Kimberly -
Your poem seemed so happy and pleasant. I was so sorry to read your authors note. I had such a wonderful childhood, I just can't understand parents beating their children. I hope you hold your children dear to your heart and understand the pain that was inflicted on you.
So many times the cycle continues.
I enjoyed your poem very much. Happy Holidays!
Thank you for reading and commenting on my featured poem, Sea Captain. John is a wonderful man and is loved by many.
Cheryl -
Very apt...makes me smile
The season is for making memories and we are so fortunate to have them when they are beautiful, for the past constitutes what we become. It is indeed a gift to look back and see the faces of those we hold dear, and realize what constitutes home and Christmas. The outward trapping may fall away, but the inward decorations adorn the spirit forever. -
Nicely crafted, Jim, not only the iambics, but you do a good job with the two part rhythm per line, lines are well weighted, stanzas appropriate, and you mix universal images with those personal touches that make a poem resonate. I'm glad you can set aside the the bad and renew the good.
I know it can be hard to hold back, but don't sweat the attack. We do have a couple self-designated "Guardians of the Poetic" who need to stifle anything that isn't exactly in their own taste. We also have some folks who simply lack any social skills. The vast majority of people here are friendly, though, and yours skills will find an appreciative audience.
Welcome to AP,
Brian -
I was lucky this year, as we had snow. Last year we didn't, and it simply didn't seem like Christmas to me. I had a great time, but I wish the snow had come sooner. My friend, Susan, and I went out to Living History Farms for what they billed as a Victorian Christmas. We spent 3 and a half hours touring through a bunch of Victorian buildings, a house, barber shop, millinery, bank, mercantile store, church and an old mansion once owned by some very wealthy people here. Afterward, we rode around the entire area in a horse drawn wagon, and then went to eat at a restaurant which shares the property with Living History Farms. It was almost magical, but would have been even better with a bit of snow. I hope you had a great Xmas.
Jim Dunlap
Edited on Dec 26, 11:27 because 'typo'. -
brought back memories
Hi Jim,
I was raised in Vermont in the 40s and 50s and saw a lot of white Christmas years. You have aptly captured the scene with a nice flowing verse and an unforced rhyme scheme. I live in the desert southwest now, for health reasons, but I have good recall of fond memories of the family gatherings during the holidays. Well done, sir.
Del -
Bravo
You managed to bring me with you through the imagery of your write. How magical an adventure indeed. -
I can't think of a better place, unless it might be Paris.
Merry Christmas.
Jim Dunlap
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I did. I lived in MN for almost 25 years. The years I was refering to were before my 20th birthday. Oh I also got to see a white christmas in Gremany. It was fun.
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Excellent
Jim, this is such a lovely christmas memory. It is written in beautiful rhyme and is so well-crafted. It's not hard to see why you are well-known amongst other authors and editors in your neck of the woods.
Edited on Dec 24, 12:46 because ''. -
You have got to see a White Christmas. If nothing else, go visit somebody up north some Christmas. It is so wonderful -- you wouldn't believe the difference. For me, Christmas just isn't Christmas without snow. I hope global warming doesn't do away with it altogether -- at least not while I'm still alive.
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excellent poem! full of Christmas cheer and nice memories of happy times. i really like the rhyming and the intelligent way in which its written (which is more than can be said for this comment lol). it was fun to read, thanx for writing it!
Merry Xmas!
severin. -
Warm memories makes me wanna embrace the christmas tree and sit under my family..lol i mean vice versa
..Imad
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Brought back some good memories for me except the snow part. Southern Cali rarely gets snow.
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Why thank you. I really appreciate supportive comments as I was subjected to a vicious attack recently from someone for no reason that I know of. Very strange, some of the people on this site. Fortunately, most are like you.
Jim Dunlap
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Memorable
Your Dad sounds a little like me,Jim,as to the shrapnel and (now)PTSD.The rest is not in my nature.
This is a word-perfect and well crafted poem of an almost too perfect scene.As if it jumped from a movie screen.I really have enjoyed all I have read of your works.Best wishes. RED
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Funny, men back then were less rude in public and likely to be very abusive in private. Nowadays, they are less abusive in private and far more rude and unpleasant in public. Strange world we live in. My father was a veteran of World War II, and they said he was shell-shocked (he still has sphrapnel in him in various places). At least he had some excuse, but the problem there is that we are creating many just like him as more and more of our young men are brutalized in a senseless and ignorant war that can't ever be won.
I'm surprised that Xmas wasn't completely ruined for you by such horrible things happening. I guess I was lucky in that respect, although not in many others.
Merry Xmas.
Jim Dunlap -
Christmas memories are ambivalent for me, my father usually used it as an excuse to beat us all, especially my mother. I armoured myself with the magic of how it should be somehow, and even now I find myself blubbing at brass bands in supermarkets playing O come all ye Faithful,and boy trebles singing Once in Royal David's city. It is very embarrassing. Your poem encapsulates that magic of how it is if you do not allow the bad things in. How it should be. How it is. There is a lot more to this poem than meets the eye on a superficial reading. Nice one, and all the best this year.
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Wow, this is a beautiful Christmas poem- it's sad that your father beat you though
Keep writing because this is beautiful
All the best,
Pozo
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A well crafted holiday poem, Jim. Looked in to read a poem or two and thank you for reading and commenting on winter sunlight. I always try to read at least some of the works of those who read mine. Well I got here, went to Mindful of Poetry, then linked to Autumn Leaves and back here now but really enjoyed all of it. And your poems, here and on the others that I have read. I will put thos sites on my visiting list also. Thanks again and I enjoyed my roaming! Stu
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It's nice to read a poem about Christmas that doesn't involve suicide or the cold dark caverns of loneliness. The rhyming was great. I really liked it. Thank you for commenting on my poem by the way
Have a merry messy kweznes -
Oh well..it seems that we make mistakes..lol.. I think it is definitely contest material though. I really like the rhyming and the couplet at the end.
Hum...no beating but still screaming...I think that sound vaguely familiar to me..within my Christmas pasts...
Merry Christmas...and thanks for your wondrful comment on my work.
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I entered this in a contest without realizing that it didn't accept prewrites, so I had to withdraw it. Therefore, technically, it is not a contest poem.
Jim Dunlap
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