It was Christmas time and the oil lanterns
Threw strange mongrel shadows
Across the walls
Of the little one bedroom apartment
The oven was a warm harbor
Of love and safety
We had three or four
Lamps going in the kitchen
Little brother and I at the table
Cookie sheet of baked
Homemade play-dough Christmas ornaments
Pine trees and angels and stars
Testors model paints
Red green gold silver
And glue and glitter
With red and white
Pipe cleaners
Twisted into candy canes
Marshmallows and gum drops
And popcorn
Strung on strings
Between batches
Of ornaments
Sugar and cinnamon
Fried donuts
Cups of coffee
Cut with milk and chocolate
Big pot of soup for us
For the next three days
Decorated tree
Winking at us
From the lamp light
Stranger shadows
Festive elementals
Of childhood proof
Of Christmas miracles
To awaken to presents
Under our little homemade tree
©workingclassproduction.com, 2014
Great poem, Joe! I love reading about your Christmas memories and the warmth these memories have brought you over the years.
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Thank you Robin. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem!
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