WOULD THERE BE A CHRISTMAS
Would there be a Christmas, would joy be there?
Bright lights all a-glimmer in the cool night air,
What about food on the table, a gift for everyone,
Would it be possible that all this could be done?
Mother was sick and we were all quite small,
Could little old gran cope alright with it all?
Daddy’s away not be home until Christmas eve,
I wish I was bigger so some pressure to relieve.
There are a lot of things that I can do to help out,
I can cut the end off every little green sprout
Without cutting a finger, take out garbage as well,
But will we still have Christmas? it is hard to tell.
This morning there was a real tree in the front hall,
One of the biggest that I can remember or ever recall,
The decorations box and light are right by it’s side,
All of us children our excitement find it hard to hide.
At least we’ll have a tree to me that’s a big thing,
Gran plays the piano and all of us love to sing,
Even if that’s all we can do on this Christmas day,
More than most poor folk will have come their way.
I helped string the Christmas card around the walls,
I wait to see what comes when the mailman calls,
Then I take cards to Mommy to read them aloud,
Then I find a nice place for it in the growing crowd.
Mommy seems better but needs lots of sleep and rest.
Grandad joined us today, guess now what is the best?
He put the outside lights up, some new ones as well,
Now outside is Christmas, it’s the best all do tell.
Gran made a cake and brought stuff from her home,
Around the food stores for hours she seemed to roam,
So there will be food on the table that I do know,
It all looks good, I hope too many relatives don’t show.
Daddy arrived home a day early, what a great treat,
But I hope he leaves some food for Christmas to eat,
Mommy’s much better now that our daddy is here,
Yes, there will be a Christmas that is quite clear.
I don’t mind if there are no nice toys under the tree,
For both my grandparents told great things of me,
How I had helped and been good, it was the best of all
Until I saw all the gifts under our tree so grand and tall.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 20 February 2004