Who Cares? It’s Christmas Day

Who Cares? It’s Christmas Day

written by: Deni Neighbour

 

Quiet, barely light through the house when breaks the sound of children’s excited laughing,
The thud of feet on the ceiling bang, the whoosh of running sends loose glitter whizzing,
In the kitchen, weary adults are preparing, traditional smoked salmon and scrambled eggs,
The veg for the dinner prepared, turkey in the oven, cold glasses of buck’s fizz nicely fizzing,
Oh, who cares? Its Christmas day!
Wrapping paper littered floor, doorbell ringing, family joining, with them, their family pet,
Barney the dog, over-excited spies Penny the cat and decides that he wants to play,
Penny fearful, finds fir tree sanctuary, Barney knocks Granny’s port and lemon into her lap,
Granny screams and all come running, dad calms things down, mum feels her hair turn grey,
Oh, my God! It’s Christmas day!
Christmas carols blare from the radio, the children now playing brand new board games,
The aroma of roast drifts through the household, cold, chilled air brings snow floating down,
Kids’ attention now forgetting presents, their breath and faces pressed up against window,
Scramble to get outside, coats, hats and scarves thrown on and out they bound,
It’s not even midday and still Christmas day!

Numb, cold children washed, sat at table, crackers pulled, paper hats on heads,
Granddad’s finished his dinner already, half a bottle of whiskey, and is asleep in the chair,
Uncle John puts on the stereo and starts singing to the songs, loudly, out of tune,
Mum brings in the Christmas pudding, her nose is slightly red and there’s gravy in her hair,
It’s going slow, this Christmas day!
After the Queen’s speech and clearing up, there’s charades and musical statues,
Dad joins in but is caught out first, such a bad loser he gets into a sulk,
Then it’s time to get bathed and changed before everyone else comes over,
Out comes all sorts of nibbles and alcohol, everything’s been bought in bulk,
Night has come upon Christmas Day!
Adults laughing, drinking, dancing, animals chasing each other round and round,
Children arguing about who won the games, drinking juice pretending it’s wine,
Grandma sipping avocat and lemonade, rosy-cheeked, her slippers are on the wrong feet,
Little baby cousin Lucy staring at the tree angel, willing her to fly or give a sign,
It’s nearly over this Christmas day!
Children sleeping, people leaving, the kitchen and house is in such a mess,
Adults attempt to do some clearing, but decide to leave it until the morning,
The Christmas tree has given up all her presents, the turkey still has more to give,
Weary everyone climbs into bed and close their eyes, not realise the new day is dawning,
Christmas day has come and gone.