Poetry Pleases: The Christmas Present
…“Happy Christmas,” cried Mum, “Just see what I’ve brought,”
As she laid the bundle down. I kissed her.
It might have been boots! Well that’s what I thought…
What was this astonishing bundle that Mum had brought home? Barbara Burden reveals the delightful secret.
I helped Mum to write on the Christmas cake.
“Happy Christmas,” it said.
Then we wrapped it up in a big tin box
And put it under the bed.
“We will have it on Christmas Day for tea,”
Mum promised when we washed the dishes.
I thought about Santa Claus when he
Brought presents for all our wishes.
We put a sleigh with Santa near the words
With his nose and cheeks so red,
And his clothes red too, and two robin birds
Who looked like they needed to be fed.
I asked for a bike instead of the trike
I’ve grown too big to ride,
And a real football, new boots to hike.
My old ones are torn at the side.
That night no sleep because of the noise,
There were noises everywhere.
In the morning I gathered up all my toys
To show Mum, but she wasn’t there.
And Dad wasn’t there; he’d gone with Mum,
But Grandma had come in the night.
She gave me a present of a red and blue drum
And said it would all be alright.
Well, I didn’t understand at all.
Now the house was quiet and still,
So quiet you could have heard a pin fall
Or Jack Frost on the windowsill.
We didn’t have much to eat, Gran and me.
I wanted my Dad and my Mum.
Then about ten past three, just before tea,
Grand said, “You see, here they come!”
Out of a taxi came Mum and Dad.
I thought she had bought a new shawl.
Dad carried a suitcase; that’s all he had
As he helped Mum into the hall.
“Happy Christmas,” cried Mum, “Just see what I’ve brought,”
As she laid the bundle down. I kissed her.
It might have been boots! Well that’s what I thought,
But no, it was a new baby sister!”
Mum held me so tight, “Her name will be Dee.”
And I took a peep at her head.
Her eyes they were blue when they looked at me.
“Oh Gosh!” is all that I said.
“Will she play with me and the ball?
And will she have cake for her tea?”
“Not yet,” laughed Dad, “she’s a bit too small,
And later we’ll have to see!”
“And now,” said Dad, “here’s something you’ll like,”
As he took me into the shed.
Behind the door we found a bike
With a helmet of red for my head.
“Thanks, Dad,” I called as I cycled around
The patio and onto the path.
Mum said, “If you promise you won’t make a sound,
You can watch while she has her bath.”
She’s still only a very small baby
That one day I might get to like.
If she drinks enough milk she’ll grow up and maybe
I’ll teach her to ride my old trike.
