Christmas past was large enough

for sugarplums and shepherds abiding,

reindeer flying over the moon,

for choir boys with starry voices

and a galaxy of golden-mouthed angels

heralding peace on earth.

And there was room for plenty

of hot chocolate on frosty mornings,

for the snow fairies that made everything

everywhere white like marshmallows,

for all the children bundled up

as happy Eskimos, and the baby dolls

wrapped in swaddling clothes

and the many saintly grandmothers, 

armed in their Christmas aprons,

who filled our houses with wonderful smells

and our hearts with expectation.

By Lisa Lindsey