Christmas Oddments

I remember the hands in plaster
placed on the lavender walls.
the odd Christmas projects.

our merriment in the hall
on the way to the living room Tree;
flinging icicles randomly

in love with the colours that bloomed there
while vent heat filled the rooms; the

tin can lids made into bells
tied with green and red yarn;
pine cones, gum balls from

the yard trees spay painted gold and silver
as a fairy's load and now we are laden
and with fresh carols learned at the piano

heralding heralding,

oh breathe in with the fir, the windowpanes
cold to the touch and framing sudden snows,
or an orange pomander jeweled

with cloves; unwrap once more my grandmother,
the strangely woven pot holders
overpraised.

who will raise these angels
from the dust
knows that I trust in Him

and so revere the years
that I spell back to Him
though now no one remains

to cherish your small hand
traced on brown paper.

mary angela douglas 3 february 2016