Capturing Christmas

114 17 21

by VaderDudeR3

by VaderDudeR3

Well, that's the last day of school over,
We're off for the Christmas break.
We have to walk all the way home,
A journey we always have to take.

There was a buzz around the school,
For that last week or so.
About making lists, getting presents,
About Santa and the hope of snow.

Mom went Christmas shopping
At the end of that week.
She brought back lots of packages,
And wouldn't let me take a peek.

Next would be the Christmas tree,
In the front window, it'll be displayed
Dad and I still had to get one,
Perfect shape and size we prayed.

At night we headed to a nearby wood
And found one just the right style.
We cut the top off and dirtied the stump,
To pretend it was cut for a long while.

Walking home we carried the tree,
Or dragged it along the road's edge.
Every time we heard a car,
We'd hide the tree in the hedge.

When the tree was trimmed
And fully decorated.
The fairy lights spiraled around,
To where the star was allocated.

Reflecting the lights the tinsel
Sparkled purple and gold.
With silver, white, blue, and green,
At Christmas red's never too bold.

It all looked so magical,
No one could resist.
The thought of presents underneath,
I had to check my own list.

The next day it was posted,
to Santa Clause with care.
Addressed to The North Pole,
with hopes of finding him there.

The big day was getting closer.
It was the day before Christmas Eve.
I would soon go to mass and sing,
In the choir would you believe!

The church always looked so mystical,
With gold glowing in the candlelight.
The smell of incense, wax, and people,
dressed up for some divine insight.

Mass started, the crowd grew quiet,
Then their responses were not too shy.
The choir sang with angelic girl voices.
Us boys forced out our ding dongs merrily on high.

Empowering readings, and our incredible singing,
you could not believe us.
I was inspired when mass was over.
Leaving the church I felt closer to Jesus.

At home, it was time to watch the Christmas movies.
The same ones we couldn't wait to see every year.
They brought a feeling of warmth and happiness.
A feeling of magic, hope, and good cheer.

When we finished watching the telly,
I went and looked out the back door.
To my amazement all was white.
The trees, the grass and so much more.

"It snowed!" I yelled and ran outside,
The snow crunched underfoot,
The air was a chill and I thought to myself,
"Tonight's the night!" I felt in my gut.

I was going to wait up to catch Santa,
Kids in my class say he's not real,
I was going to prove them all wrong,
And show Big Red's the real deal.

I looked out over the countryside,
Before I went in for the night.
The full moon illuminated the snow,
Each house window glowed with candlelight.

It was about half nine now and time to go to bed.
I went up to my room to plan this out just right.
I put my camera on the nightstand
And set my alarm for ten to midnight.

Eventually, I fell asleep, a sleep full of dreams,
Dreams about the big man in red.
None about sweets, pudding, or candy:
No visions of sugarplums danced in my head.

Sleep went on and my alarm went off,
I could barely open my eyes.
I'm so tired, I thought to myself.
"Santa!" As I started to realize.

Dressing gown on, slippers on foot,
I sneaked downstairs with camera in hand,
I hid behind the chair in the corner,
Everything was set just like I planned.

The night was still and all was quiet,
But for my own heartbeat in my ear,
The ticking of the grandfather clock grew louder,
Suddenly the chimes for twelve were all I could hear.

Final stroke of midnight and, nothing.
Then the clock's ticking stopped.
A force, like wind, filled the room,
Then out of nowhere, Santa popped.

He looked just as I imagined,
Red and round with white hair,
He got busy at his work,
Presents here and presents there.

I watched in awe not able to move,
Then all of a sudden he was gone,
No wink of eye, no touch of nose,
But there was a clatter on the lawn.

"The Photo!" Realizing I'd forgotten,
I had no proof that Santa was here.
I got up and saw a note on the chair,
It read: "Better luck next year!"

Resolved, determined to catch him again,
Yes, but that Christmas was the best,
I went back upstairs and lay in bed,
A merry Christmas to all and....,
Ah, you know the rest.