I remember Christmas like
unevenly matched pearls
strung on carols and secular music
you hear only two weeks a year,
while dreaming
of a White Christmas, and a Silent Night
in frantic malls.
The tree, skipped this year,
some red berry branches and
the inherited Nativity set out,
a few remaining paper cards,
unheard phone calls replaced
by Facebook, texts and emails.
The multiple demands for donations
filling up inboxes.
The mass-made stockings with glitter names
mostly empty now. Gift cards for
those with unknown wishes,
And chocolate,
and chocolate, and
wine.
Turkey and cranberries, shortbread.
And family traditions and stories,
some joyful and some
hard to swallow - the absences and angers,
the reluctant visits,
the empty dining room chairs.
Church choirs carolling.
and Christmas albums on YouTube,
and “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
and a Christmas-themed movie.
With eggnog.
And warm hugs before an early night.
Learning Living 