Gramma's Ribbon Box
Treasured Holiday Reflections
Tucked in a plaid box, high on a shelf
The Collection of Ribbons, a December time to myself.
First light the fire -then lift the cover once a year
Beckoning Christmases from the past to draw near.
Inside I behold coils, loops, and bows
Arranged by layers in messy rows.
Satins and sparkles, the 70's metallics draw attention
Chintz, polyester, plaids- almost too many to mention.
Whole yards gathered together once wrapped a mammoth package
Carefully loosened, saved, then tucked away without damage
Bows once perky, created by trembling fingers
Are the things now on which my memory lingers.
Once bought at Woolworths, Murphy's, or Kmart
Were once perched on gifts that came from the heart.
Each of us had our color (mine was cobalt blue)
We knew at a glance which gift was for who
By turn we'd each shake, rattle, guess, hope and
All too quick it seemed our gifts would be opened.
The Littles would play amidst the paper tempest
Adults would start thinking of coffee and breakfast
Gramps checked the piles for any gifts neglected
While Gramma commenced the routine she'd perfected.
From the floor, by the tree, on chairs, among pillows
She'd retrieve the ribbons discarded by excited kiddos.
Through her fingers she'd pull then carefully smooth
As snarls and twists were patiently soothed.
Waste not, want not; through each papery drift
Each ribbon rescued to reappear on next year's gift.
With each cousin added, every new baby born-
Their unique color revealed on their first Christmas morn.
Perhaps to some a small thing, to have your own hue
Looking forward each year to gifts donned with ribbons of blue.
For me this plaid box is a reminder of joys
That my quiet Gramma produced through the noise
Of Santa, church, carols, reindeer, cookies of the season
She saw us as unique, she loved without reason.
This box holds my memories of those days long ago
When I hold it I hold them, in the Yule log's warm glow.
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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Comments (21)
So much meaning and memories held by a ribbon. Congratulations on your win and a wonderful Christmas poem.
This was such a treasure!!! Congrats on placing, Judey!
Congratulations on runner upπππ
Such a beautiful holiday reflection anchored by your Grammaβs ribbons and all the memories associated with them! Congratulations!
I have a few things to say...lol. First off, so glad to see your name on the winner's list, alongside my own. Happy to share it with you, friend. Also, I forget that Woolworths was a thing over there too! So that felt familiar! This was gorgeous, Judey and well-deserved to placing! Thank you!
Congratulations π₯³β¦ Fabulous π€©πβ¦ I love this poemβs rhythm, rhyme & wonderful tradition π.
Wonderfully written loved the treasures and memories!!! Congratulations on the runner up win!!!β€οΈβ€οΈπ
Judy, this is beautiful, the entire poem - I especially liked the lines: For me this plaid box is a reminder of joys That my quiet Gramma produced through the noise Of Santa, church, carols, reindeer, cookies of the season She saw us as unique, she loved without reason. This box holds my memories of those days long ago When I hold it I hold them, in the Yule log's warm glow. CONGRATS on the win! ππ₯³ππ₯³
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! ππππππ
Congratulations on Runner Up - Well Done!!!
Yay! Back to say congrats. π
What a treasure of a memory. Your poem is lovely and wistfully joyous. Congratulations on placing with the amazing poem in the challenge.
Lovely poem Judey. So nostalgic and heartwarming.
Aw, so nostalgic. Memories of Xmas past. So wonderful.
What a beautiful poem, Judey! You took me back to when my daughters were small. One of my girls was always just as enthralled by the package ribbons as she was with her gifts.
Absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful Christmas tradition.π
This was so heartfelt and beautiful. Loved your poem!
A beautiful slice of nostalgia. Well done.
Loved this and I found my mom's box of ribbons and bows. I am thinking about crafting something. Good work.
Well done.
Beautiful poem- beautiful ribbon. Well done!!