CHRISTMAS EVE

It is snowing and it
Is cold outside
Soon the ground
Will be covered with
A blanket of white

Christmas is near
And Santa is ready
The toys are all made
And packed in his sleigh
The reindeer are anxious

To fly tonight. It is
Christmas Eve at last
And I await and watch
At my bedroom window
Too excited to sleep

I hope I didn't ask for
Too many things
I guess I did last year
As I didn't get very much
This year will be better

I only asked for a doll
That says"mama" and
A couple of books
I was good all day
I cleaned house

The best that I could
My mother said it was too late
It wouldn't do me any good
I know Santa is real
He just has to be

I sent him a letter and told
Him my wishes
I then put my letter into the
Coal furnace, as my mother
Said that was how Santa got his mail

The cookies and milk are by the tree
And we'll keep the tree
Lit all night
So Santa can see
Oh, Santa! Please hurry

I can't bear this waiting
I want to hear your sleigh bells
And the reindeer's hooves
Upon the roof
I just know that you're real

You've just got to be
If you're not
What will happen
To the little girl in me

— Linda Moses, Dec 16, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: rethinking this. have recently started reading the works of some of the greats, I will comment later

Critiques

Robert Melliard

17 years 5 months ago

Hi Linda,

This would just be another Christmas poem if it were not for the disturbing details about your mother, like when she says your housework is too late or tells you to throw the letter to Santa into the coal furnace. Those sad little memories are moving. Best wishes, Robert.

Linda Moses

17 years 5 months ago

Robert

It is funny how long ago my childhood seems, yet it happened only yesterday. I don't dwell on it, but everyonce in a while it pops into my head. This time I was watching a cute Christmas movie about Prancer, and this poem kind of came together. Thank you for your comments. Sincerely, Linda

yenti

17 years 5 months ago

CHRISTMAS EVE

A lovely piece of many things, Hopes, dashed hopes, Prayers answered and let go. For a child, a memory of things in confusion, where wishes and reality mingle, to give us a question as to what really happened. That we are grown up now, and can forgive, as we should, and be alive to now things, it can be written down, without causing the hurt it did, through the eyes of a child. Well written Linda, Yours Ian.T

Linda Moses

17 years 5 months ago

Thank you

Ian for your comments. I always appreciate your input. Merry Christmas!

infinite_dwarf

17 years 5 months ago

Linda

I think we all still have that little kid in us sometimes. I, too, was equally sad to read your mother's comments. Seems quite cruel. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- - "Does Rudolph fail the safety inspection if his nose is burnt out? And where does he go? I don't think he'd fit in the bay at the Jiffy Lube." Happy holidays, y'all!

Linda Moses

17 years 5 months ago

Jess

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to read. Sincerely, Linda

Rett

17 years 5 months ago

So sad, but full of hope my friend

You bring back many memories for me. I remember Christmas when I was 7 years old. No tree, no decorations. My brothers and I went out and cut a small tree, then cut out pictures of decorations and candles from the Sears Catalog and put them on the tree. We made each other things to give. Mine weren't so good, but I had saved enough pennies to get mama a small bottle of vanilla extract to use as perfume. Mama made me a brand new shirt from the old printed flour sacks she had been saving. The old man was out galavanting around again. Funny how that one comes to mind after reading this. Well done Linda and says more than a lot of people can even understand. Merry Christmas my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "Each man is good in the sight of the Great Spirit.." (Sitting Bull)

Linda Moses

17 years 5 months ago

Rett

Vanilla extract for perfume was very clever for a little guy of 7. When I was little I drank some vanilla out of the bottle. anything that smelled that good just had to taste good, right? I am sorry your childhood wasn't any better than mine. I had friends who were twins, and their mother made their dresses out of printed flour sacks. And Merry Christmas with your loving family to you, too, Rett