Family Christmas

Kids all love Christmas and always have

Anticipation of gifts to come

With all the goodies in front of them

And baby in manger on display

For Christ was born on this very day

Brother and I liked everything

Peppermints, brandysnaps, carols too

Turkey, gingerbread and deck of cards

Crash in the kitchen who did what where?

Don't worry it's Christmas we don't care

We are called to the table for it's time

To pull the crackers and sip some wine

We wear paper hats we always do 

Dad's broken his thumbnail...no surprise

Have I got room for more mince pies?

We go in Lounge to sit in arm chairs

As youngest child hands presents from tree

These gifts once given are torn open

Us kids eager to see what we've got

Let' us hope that no-ones been forgot

It's time now to fetch the Christmas cake

Mum did the icing just yesterday

Now Granddad tells of fables long past

More drinks are poured but that's no surprise

Kids spin bottle and hope for a prize

Image found at www.pixabay.com

Home is people

The church bells are ringing calling us to prayer
I held my mothers hand as we made our way there
The streets were full of shadows as dawn was so shy
Felt cold despite my coat, wished in bed I'd still lie

I spied the spire now rising tall above the town
Dad glanced at his watch, hated being late, face a frown
He'd served in the war and liked punctuality
As mournful bells stopped ringing we made our entry

We found our seats at the side just as the choir sang
Stood up when the priest spoke, then the service began
He talked of Jesus's birth and dying on the cross
A crib was set up, candles lit and brass all gloss

The service lasted quite some time, I fell asleep
Cuddled up with mum I do not recall a peep
I woke when hearing the final hymn when sung
The we all left the church and bells of joy were rung

I had heard nothing of baby in the manger
Or how Jesus preached to all despite the danger
But was eager to get home to open presents
Now years later somehow it all seems to make sense

What a strange world we live with war and peace still here
War is encouraged to weaken and install fear
Much false news spoke often, wild rumors reign supreme
Feuding is encouraged and peace but a wild dream

But home is full of people and they all love me
So while mother makes our lunch I play happily
Father Christmas brought presents sitting by the tree
Christmas is great for boys and I was only three

Image found at Pixabay.com

Going round the bend

Good heavens, it's nearly year's end
Not done my Christmas shopping yet
I think I'm going round the bend

Relax there is still seven days left
Still time to join the mad shopping crowd
There's no need to look so bereft

Don't know what to get your rellies?
If they read buy them a good book
Chocolate will fill their bellies

Then what to buy their little ones?
If their older they will want cash
Girls want dolls, boys will want toy guns

There now! So are you all prepared?
Let's hope you get some presents too
I'm sure you will, they'll know you cared

Image found at www.pixabay.com

The cost of hay

Well the weather is not bleak
Not been frosty for many a week
The temperature is rising
So is the cost of hay too
Lambs are moaning it's quite a to do

The weather has not been stable
Farmers do what they are able
You can't call their job working bliss
As they shepherd their large flock around
To ensure that some feed can be found

I often think of Christmas cards
Showing small flock that they guard
With ewes giving milk to their lambs
Part of worship that's ever been
Is the traditional Christmas scene

Image found at www.https.pixabay.com.photos.sheep

I really hate change

I really hate change, unless it is me
It's my choice to be who I want to be
But with others I firmly disagree
I really must end this verse with an 'e'

I am joking of course but we should all
Accept changes even they do appall
You wouldn't think that I would have the gall
To finish verse without a rhyme at the end!

Forgive me I like to have just one joke
For I've always been that sort of bloke
Forever laughing as I write each stroke
As though my finger does give you a poke

Enough of the silly childish banter
You'll think of me as a silly ranter
I'll soon be speeding off at a canter
Christmas shopping calls so might meet Santa!

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/santa-claus-christmas-christmas-tree-3858846/

Winter taunts us

Winter taunts us with Autumn's colour
Romantic as we hold each other
As dead leaves fall softly to land

Then eerie mists appear at dawn
Soon blown away by the cruel north wind
And beaches now seen with empty strand

Draft excluder now placed foot of door
Trees stripped quite clean with nothing to say
Gaping at view of barren farmland

Humans appearance changes now too
They're less relaxed as if much to do
Planning Christmas needs every hand 

Even the dog curls up in a ball
On summer days he lays out in a sprawl
Now dreams and moans of seashore's sand

Children's eyes shine with first fall of snow
Soon they're downcast with bitter cold
Slipping and sliding is not so grand

Now look! Spring flowers burst from the soil
Gloves not worn now, Sun shines at dawn
Birds chatter and sing like a brass band

Smiles are on faces walking around
Winter forgotten for one more year
Now couples dancing a saraband

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos.happy-couple-happiness-love-4021036/

What's that?

"What's that?" I ask seeing a sparkle in her eyes

She says "The year is coming to another end"
Watching that damned clock drives me round the bend
The willow tree has wept its leaves right off
Now is the season for sneezes, colds and cough

Soon we'll be singing songs and carols round the tree
Telling of our ancestors that used to be
Moving with ungainly stooped gait they did bend
I rue their absence as year comes to an end

We chat, sing carols and children scamper about
Play games with each other after presents doled out
Finally they all go home after time check
While my wife waves as she rubs her tired neck

"Ah! solitude" she says following me to bed

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/table-preparing-set-christmas-791149/

Planning Christmas

Cats collide being rained upon
Dry summer days have now long gone
Evening light fades
I flick my braids
Finger them now
Shy smile on show
Toddler sister follows me round
Without making one sound

I like autumn when the leaves fall
From the sycamore tree tall
Scuff feet in leaves
Dad checks the eaves
Wear socks for hose
And warm night clothes
With our Lounge fire hot as a forge
And lots of snacks and food shall gorge

Might get dressed up for Halloween
Perhaps I'm too old at sixteen?
Roads now icy
Driving's dicey
Salt is now spread
Got hat on head
Snuggling is good with my boyfriend
Check Christmas lists that never end

Image found at https://www.seniorcatwellness.com/where-do-cats-go-when-it-rains/

The Sunday After

I woke to warm silence
On a fine summer's day
My wife's naked back stirred
Her grunt meant "fetch me tea"
I silenced the alarm

"Church this morning?" I asked
Before rousing the kids
Hearing the bells now chime
She stirred from her dreaming
Snuggled close to my arm

"It's the Sunday after 
Christmas" she said to me
Bells ringing from afar
"Littlies won't want to go
One service missed won't harm"

So got up and made tea
Found kids happy playing
So I then removed all
Christmas decorations
Kids watched without a qualm

It didn't take me long
For that was plain to see
As I tidied our house
Felt the heat of window 
Pane with my open palm

This is Australia
And we live upsidedown
Sky was clear no clouds seen
Who'd live anywhere else
Where all is peace and calm

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/sunrise-landscape-nature-sunset-3862680/

Fair dinkum

Fair dinkum this is a hot Christmas
Even Ma got crook having to cook
So puts on a face

Bought a box of beaut chockies for Ma
By crikey they melted in the ute
Just like Marble Bar

Kids dead set to have a skinny dip
The creek's water and fish have all gone
On a day like this

Water tank's low dunno how it will go
All the stock are bleating in vain
They're always a pain

So flat out like a lizard drinking
Fixed fence, fed stock and cleaned all their troughs
Hard yakka all done

Then who do I see but brother Bill
"G'day" he says "Been driving all night"
"Could I stay a day?

"Thought I'd have Chrissie in the bush
"Fixed it with Ma, we'll get legless again"
"No worries", I grinned

"Bit of work to do first, don't you see?
Best get that clobber off, lend a hand
You're back on the land!"

T'was best time we had since we lost Dad
Gave hard yakka a rest and Bill said
"How I love "Straya"

Australian slang expressions and meaning:

Beaut                                          Beautiful, Great
Bush                                           Distant countryside
Chrissie                                      Christmas
Clobber                                      Clothes
Crook                                          Annoyed, Sick
Dead Set                                    Intent, True
Dunno                                         Don't know
Fair dinkum                                The truth, The real thing
Flat out like a lizard drinking      Very fast, busy
G'day                                          Polite Hello      
Gorn                                           Vanished, gone
Legless                                       Happily Drunk
Ma                                              Wife (especially with kids)
Marble Bar                                  Hottest town in Australia
No worries                                  No problem, It's OK
Skinny Dip                                  Naked bathing
"Straya"                                      Australia, Home
Ute                                             Utillity, small car sized truck 
Hard Yakka                                Hard work

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/485403666061082839/

Christmas organised

My grandfather grunted
As was his way
Family gathering
Was not what he wanted 
This Christmas Day

With boughs of green holly
Decorations too
The smell of sweet balsam
Kids brought the foliage
What a 'to do'!

Ma said give him a dram
That's what we did
Church bells were ringing
In city spires down town
Us they did bid

So we all went to church
Except Granddad
All rugged up in our coats
Kids vainly wished for snow
Grownups quite glad

Grandma glad Dad refused
Said he'd just moan
We looked at the bare trees 
At church got to squeeze in
Pew of our own

Going home Grandma said
A letter came
From a retirement home
Reserving them a place
(Won't be the same)

But thinking it over
Their worries cut
In future was our turn
To organise Christmas
No ifs or buts

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-drink-coffee-cup-cup-335663/

Under the mistletoe

Yesterday the sun shone
But now she's fled, she's gone
Yet people's faces smile
Christmas is coming,she's been gone awhile

Despite the rain and cold
Shoppers are being bold
Buying before the rush
To miss the season's usual push and crush

I watch them, knowing well
Winter's better some tell
For their thoughts are not sad
As cruel winter's cold and snow drive them mad

They think food, gifts and fun
As round the tree kids run
Their faces all aglow
And lovers kiss under the mistletoe

Image found at http://hotkisstips.com/kissing-tips/why-kiss-under-the-mistletoe.htm

Since you went away

It's almost eight years
Since you went away
I still feel you're here
But no words do you say

It's lonely in bed
There's room for you still
But your side's untouched
For your place is not filled

Family's all close
Grandchildren grow up
Laela does ballet
Oh how they develop!

Christmas is coming
It's the same each year
You're ever in our minds
We still love you my dear

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/decorating-christmas-tree-santa-woman-2999718/

Crispy frosty morn

Crispy frosty morn
A chime from the church tower
Calling us to mass

We slip slide our way
All wrapped up cosy and warm
On this Christmas morn

To get there just in time
To sing Alleluia
Jesus Christ is born

Sun peeps through the clouds
As we make our way back home
A sign all is well

The snow drifts melting
We all stomp our feet outside
Our minds now on food

That pile of presents
Has waited there for days now
Underneath the tree

But first the turkey
As all the family sit
Dining together

Happy little flock
Baby with gravy on her chin
Grinning in Dad's lap

Present time is here
Kids are going bananas
Time now to unwrap

Shouts of joy and thanks
Paper strewn on the floor
Every face a grin

Adults settle down
Gathered round the burning fire
Toasting absent friends

Even Grandma smiles
A drink she did not decline
She's now fast asleep

Image found at www.commons.wikimedia.org

The Revenant

Bright white lights of the city
Now glare down at me again
And candle toting kids beam
White Christmas, is this a dream?

Born and worked here long ago
Never in my wildest thoughts
Did I think I'd be here again
Back home after so much pain

Scent of pine is in the air
I watch them all every one
Passing shoppers do not see
This man from a far country

Cars are honking in the street
Painted call girls pass me by
Don't care to give me the eye
Swish off to a safer guy

Roll up my sleeves I'm back home
Start my life over once more
Streams of living water flow
My past has gone long ago

Image found at www.londonperfect.com

You're so very kind

Oh, Christmas time is one to dread
Everyone thinks you should be fed
For I just can't refuse
A piece of cake or mince pie
No matter how much I try

It's sad to see this season come
I've really got to watch my bum
My fingers try each one 
A bowl of chips and dip too
It's not my fault it is you

There's pork scratchings and hummus dip
Plus all the drink that I will sip
New Year I'll have to slim
I know you're so very kind
But I've got a fat behind

Image found at www.mirror.co.uk

End of year party

The Christmas get together
End of year party
Eyeing up the office girls

No matter just how I tried
To woo one over
'specially the one with curls

A bashful one now glances
I love her turned up nose
She's the best of all the pearls

I never seen her before
Just like a rosebud
With drinks she just unfurls

So I talk and dance with her
She was mine alone
As she moves with pretty twirls

Clunker I have made for she's
Daughter of the boss
Dagger looks at me he hurls

I return her to her seat
So I now resume
Eyeing other office girls

Image found at www.warble-entertainment.com

Christmas pudding

How I miss Christmas
Long gone days of poverty
Ma made the pudding

Us kids helped of course
Stirring the sticky mixture
Licking the raw mix

Dad read the paper
In the parlour, "He's best there"
Mum muttered grinning

Old recipe used
Suet, flour, eggs, and raisins
All gave it a stir

Went in our mouths too
Absolutely none wasted
The dog licked the floor

Mum added the prize
Some silver threepenny bits
Lucky to find them

When it was cooking 
Us kids then went out to play
Still smacking our lips

Those days now long gone
Such the warp and weft of life
Memory fading

Gone sticky faces 
Gone days when we had little
Who now cares a fig

How I miss that time
Happy days of poverty
Home made Christmas pud

Image 1 found at www.christmas-plum-pudding.jpg
Image 2 found at www.taste.com.au

My first job

I was barely sixteen still a schoolboy and had got my first real job working for the Post Office in Britain in 1951.

It was the Christmas rush and students were selected from certain schools and I struck lucky.

Us boys were assigned to parcel delivery and two or three of us would accompany the driver of a truck to deliver parcels and packages to happy households who received goodies from relatives and friends from all over Great Britain as well as the United States and other overseas countries.

It was obvious from the aroma that many parcels from Ireland contained foodstuff such as hams, other meats and cakes for lucky relatives that probably would not be permitted these days.

Britain was still slowly recovering from the Second World War and as the Republic of Ireland had been independent they were source of plenty for a lucky few.

Still at school the following year I managed to get the same job again but with my experience I was upgraded to Postman with bike and armband to show that I was official delivering letters right up to and including Christmas morning as the postal service then was the only means of communication for many in those days.

Image found at www.pinterest.com

All those years ago

On Sunday mornings
My Dad would walk down the street
To drink down the Inn

It opened at noon
Mum was cooking weekend roast
When I was so young

He took us two boys
Our dog Rastus came too
He liked us the best

Dad went on inside
While we three sat on the step
We'd get lemonade

Rules were funny then
Your dog was allowed inside
But children were not

Rastus was happy
He'd sniff and bark at people
Looking for more dogs

After Dad had his pint
We would walk back home again
To smell the roast beef

Dad would carve the meat
Meanwhile we would wash our hands
To then start our meal

Rastus was there too
Quiet under the table
Waiting for our scraps

Can't help thinking now
There was no room at the Inn
All those years ago


Image found at www.aksermonillustrations.blogspot.com