So long awake on Christmas morn
So long awake on Christmas morn
Alone, the clock slow ticking
Till sweet relief, her joy
His happy chorus hearing
Hello Lily! Delighted in his cot
Now grandparents too
Ready to share the magic
Stockings lumpy bulging
Ditto pillow cases full
So many gifts so many
Loving them, blessed children
Family’s soul and heart
Now watch his wonder
Battery-powered (though not of course supplied)
The tiny train in figure eight
Or fire engine accessorised with sirens
And with lights
While Lily’s cool our tweenage girl
With gadgetry and games
And special gifts her father chose
The parents’ joy is rooted here
A happy Christmas created
Hand-me-down and honed
Through time and generations
Stir in The Snowman on the box
And candlelit from Kings, the carols
Too much drinking, wine in hamper
Delicious sent from family abroad, missing
Dan and Hayley, little Zach
Too many years not here
Toasting us far distant under summer skies
While Granny tearful, grieves for them
And ham on toast tradition
Brings to mind her dearest dad
So many gone or absent
But grateful, glad for what they have
A family together
Warmth and homes
Enough for all their needs
The lucky ones, the fortunate
This year’s Christmas morn
So long awake on Christmas morn
Alone, the clock slow ticking
Till sweet relief, her joy
His happy chorus hearing
Hello Lily! Delighted in his cot
Now grandparents too
Ready to share the magic
Stockings lumpy bulging
Ditto pillow cases full
So many gifts so many
Loving them, blessed children
Family’s soul and heart
Now watch his wonder
Battery-powered (though not of course supplied)
The tiny train in figure eight
Or fire engine accessorised with sirens
And with lights
While Lily’s cool our tweenage girl
With gadgetry and games
And special gifts her father chose
The parents’ joy is rooted here
A happy Christmas created
Hand-me-down and honed
Through time and generations
Stir in The Snowman on the box
And candlelit from Kings, the carols
Too much drinking, wine in hamper
Delicious sent from family abroad, missing
Dan and Hayley, little Zach
Too many years not here
Toasting us far distant under summer skies
While Granny tearful, grieves for them
And ham on toast tradition
Brings to mind her dearest dad
So many gone or absent
But grateful, glad for what they have
A family together
Warmth and homes
Enough for all their needs
The lucky ones, the fortunate
This year’s Christmas morn
27th December 2009, Walburton nr Arundel, for Dan
Thank you for sharing this. Christmas is always a time of joy and sadness. Aren't we lucky to have such wonderful families?
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed lucky and that is what I wanted to celebrate Pam, in amongst the sadness and the separation/ anxieties for the future, to acknowledge our great good fortune.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed a moment to share your Christmas, thank you.
ReplyDeleteFrom Dan
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely poem, and for me so thank you very much!