I don’t string popcorn
any more, with cranberries;
or bake sugar cookies, make
gingerbread houses.
My tree is small,
the right size for the pot
on the shelf
with a few,
my few precious ornaments.
Children and grandchildren
grown, some flown
long past Santa.
My Buche de Noel won’t be fancy.
No candies that once
small, sticky fingers made so.
No one will wake before dawn;
rush to the hearth,
grab stockings,
eat too much chocolate.
Still, Christmas will come
Ready or not.
Like the first time
when no one was ready.
Not for a child,
a small, squalling child
with a too-young mother.
Yes, Christmas will come
on another long night.
We’ll wake once again.
We’ll wake up again,
as it’s been every year.
We’ll wake up with hope,
with an age-old hope;
longing once more
for peace.
12 Responses
Very nice.
Polly, Love this poem. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New
Year. I think of you often and remember all we experienced as “youngsters”. Love and Hugs,
Reedie
Beautiful, Polly. Wishing you a peaceful and merry Christmas, and a happy healthy 2026.
Fiddle
Dear Polly,
The poem makes my day — a welcome and calming read that balances the hurly burly of Christmas preparations.
Great seeing you the other day at Winter Market, and best wishes to you and Keith for Christmas and 2026. Bisous Andy
Love the words, so true to where we are, our decor is much like yours, but our memories are rich, our joys and sorrows so real. We have breath, life and will try to savor it.
Beverly
Deaar Polly, your Christmas memories match many of my own, though i never made a Buche de Noel. I do remember the children crowding into our bed at 6:30 with the one present they were allowed to open early. And then there was the presentation of The Night Before Christmas by the four of them, when my elderly mother was the highlight with her nose painted red as Rudolph!. She is gone now, but there are now 6 great grandchildren. Blessings and Peace to you. Nancy Shepherd..
Thank you Polly. This is beautiful and so meaningful. It’s so interesting to see the changes the seasons make at this stage of our lives. Beverly said it so well. There is a wonderful peace at this time; thanks for this amazing poem. Fondly, Borgie
Thank you for sharing your heart and your gift of writing with us. Your poem rings true for me too even though my kiddos are still home. Teenagers and young adults just have a different “vibe” than young children. We’re trying to embrace our “new normal” for now before it will change once again. Your words bring me comfort.
Thank you Polly for those beautiful words and for making me feel less guilty about NOT making Christmas cookies this year!
I look forward to this night with hope. Wishing you joy and peace.
Candy
Beauty in the simplicity. Thank you for the reminder of what is most dear.
Shirley Andrews says:
Thank you Polly for sharing your thoughts – they help me to understand my feelings as a new generation comes along. May 2026 bring you plenty of peace and joy.
Thank you Polly for sharing your thoughts – they help me to understand my feelings as a new generation comes along. May 2026 bring you plenty of peace and joy.
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