Now and Then…
Holiday reflections poem
Christmas hustle, bustle…
fifty years fly by on a shooting star!
*
Nowadays, there’s an annual epistle to wittily compile
a computer workout… typing, editing, photo trawling…
Connecting with friends and family by the mile.
Back then, handmade cards for our besties… what works of art!
Writer’s cramp… a small price to pay
Sharing words straight from the heart.
*
Christmas bustle, scuffle…
Times are changing… surely better by far?
*
Today, we brave the onslaught of crammed, shopping malls at night
Replete with cookie-cutter gifts
enveloped in canned music trilling, tinnily for us to savour
O’ welcome surprise… I spy one familiar face over by the lifts!
Back then in my small town — little hands clutched a dollar or two — shops were combed in search of perfect presents…
Socialising along the way… here a friend, there a neighbour
Nary a stranger in sight!
*
Christmas scuffle, rustle…
was life simpler… now or then? I wonder…
*
A kaleidoscope of Christmas decorations spill onto the floor!
Now, a mere afternoon’s work… tree adeptly assembled, bedecked in flashing lights, shiny tinsel, pretty ornaments and more…
In the days of my youth — every willing hand busily folded vibrant spring-loaded crepe-paper streamers…
one hectic week later, they bedecked bookshelves; dangled from cornices.
A drive-by lopping would snag a pungent, Casuarina branch infested with hairy caterpillars
Voilà! Our bare tree stood begging for decorations and stocking fillers.
*
Christmas… time to rustle up some trifle!
Lots of work for many a mother…
*
My mother cooked up a festive storm…
fruitcake creatively decorated with marzipan; fudge, dainty apricot balls…
accompanied by succulent roast dinner, baked veggies and fruit punch!
Today, it’s lean pickings with a few simple treats to munch!
Coconut cake’s one thing I manage to bake…
making Coconut Ice and Russian Caramel is my worst fate of all!
*
Now… less Christmas hustle, bustle…
smaller gathering, less excitement… but easier by far!
*
Now and back then… family scoot off to church, carols are sung
laughter lingers round the Christmas tree
an afternoon game adds to the frivolity
Faint memories linger of after lunch swims in lakes and waterfalls
Wonderful times… like all the best parties...
Time to say, "Happy birthday, Jesus!"
**
A/N: Thankfully, the caterpillar infested Christmas tree was a ‘one off’ mishap!
Written for the Holiday Reflections in Verse challenge.
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Angie the Archivist 📚🪶
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Comments (9)
Times changes don't they, but some things stay the same 😁
So vibrant and festive! Love all the memories and sensory images you included in this! And glad the caterpillar infestation wasn’t a yearly tradition!
I love your dad's minimalist tree!!! And will you post your recipe for that Coconut cake? Best of all, saying, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"
I love this picture in my mind: busily folded vibrant spring-loaded crepe-paper streamers… one hectic week later, they bedecked bookshelves; dangled from cornices. Thank goodness no caterpillars - ick!!
Oooo, can I have some of that coconut cake? Hehehehehe. Loved your poem!
This is a perfectly delightful stroll done Christmas memory lane, Angie! Great challenge entry!
You showed such originality with the deletion of words. Beautifully Done!!!
Beautifully expressed Thanks for this lovely read.
Clever deletion of words, Angie. Brilliant, and a poignant reminder.