Packing Up Christmas

Down come those two little christmas trees
dusty now, which flashed their tiny lights
from the top of the TV
while we feasted on turkey and potatoes
and listened to the Queen slowly speak
in metaphors.
Off the wall come the ropes of cards,
edges turned by the heat from the fire,
each wishing us peace and goodwill
from friends far away
Down come the hanging stars and paper chains
you put up all by yourself when I was out
just to be helpful and make me happy

Here are the baubles hung one by one
in glittery anticipation
of how they would decorate all the happy days ahead,
now balancing
from the drooping ends of wilting branches.
I feel the tree breathe a sigh of relief
with each one I remove.
Away go the final leftovers
and those few chocolates no one likes
into the last bag of rubbish
containing Christmas wrapping paper.
I'll take it to the dump tomorrow

As I unwind the tinsel and fold it away
Ease down the fairy, your choice, I like the star
Pack away the last of the crackers unpulled,
and those little dancing silver reindeer
who turned in the winter draughts,
spinning on silver threads
I remember how
we stripped wrapping from sellotaped parcels
and brandished gifts like medal winners
before going out to ride ponies in the snow

Here's that special decoration
we made when you were three
and had no money to spend
but all the time in the world for each other
with glitter, ribbon and glue
And finally the twinkling Christmas lights,
unwound and stored away
Leaving a bare tired tree
parked in the corner
of a post-Christmas room

And as I pack Christmas away
for the twelfth time,
I realise that this may be
the end of your childhood,
the beginning of a new age,
when you will never be a baby again.
So I fold up the 'Pere Noel' banner
you made in Classe Primaire
Remembering all the years we've had,
each one special,
just as you have been,
and I look to the future you with hope
that all those childhood Christmas times
were as happy for you
as they have been for me.

Reviews

[Bennett Logan]

Very nostalgic! I love it! Taking down the Christmas decorations feels like systematically removing magic. Your poem is bittersweet and captures the moment amazingly well. Normally, I have a handful of suggestions, but this very personal account of taking down the decorations is perfectly fine as it is. Definitely keep up the good work!

[Rachel]

Returning to normal life from the holidays is always really emotional, and you've summed up all of those emotions in this poem. Beautifully written and very insightful.

[Kat]

This is really cute. I know what you mean about the bare tree. It's sad when it's over but the memories are forever. Nice poem