CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT
One Christmas I remember it was different I will say,
It fell upon a Monday that year, my favourite holiday,
A bomb had dropped and all the power was out,
Yet no one in the family did carry on or shout.
We had a gas stove but that too would not come on,
Somehow the Christmas spirit a great battle won.
We had a fireplace in the kitchen and livingroom too,
Oh yes, a Christmas feast of sorts would come through.
There was an hob in the kitchen right over the flames
We watched food boil and bubble, better than playing games,
A piece of ham placed in a tin sat right on the fire,
Batteries in the radio meant we could hear a choir.
Candles were scattered, for the day was dark and dim,
Rain clouds rolled around but all was warm within,
In the livingroom carefully the Christmas pudding boiled ,
I was in charge, making sure the treasure wasn’t spoiled.
Dad carried the big kettle when the water boiled low,
Too and from the busy kitchen we both often did go,
The table looked so pretty glowing in the candle light,
The plates and glasses sparkling dancing with delight.
When all the relatives arrived they looked so very sad
Thinking that Christmas would be dull or even bad,
But the cooking smells and the candles made them smile,
The rain turn to snow it seemed like heaven for a little while.
One of the best Christmases in the candlelight’s glow
Still dwells in my memory from all those years ago,
When the fear that comes with cruel war went far away
And the whole family felt the blessings on Christmas day/
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 7 November 2004