Christmas memories told in poem

Christmas is over, the presents unwrapped, the dinner eaten, the ballgames watched and this year’s Christmas memories made.

Newspapers used to have the luxury of space and often would publish poetry written by its readers.

This poem by Hazel Fletcher was published in The Oklahoman on Dec. 28, 1970.

She titled it “The Aftermath,” and it seems appropriate for the holidays.

“‘Twas the day after Christmas and you’d never guess / Where once there was order, there’s now such a mess.

“The pieces are scattered throughout the house, / There’s not even room for a little bitty mouse.

 

“Boxes and ribbons and much colorful paper, / The poor Christmas tree and the burned out taper.

“A hammer has hammered the lesser of toys, / The walking doll’s crippled by the rougher of boys.

“The truce is now over — children fight as before, / There’s a let-down feeling — can’t take any more.

“But regardless of the trouble, anxieties and din / We’d open our hearts and do it again.

“So memories are stored with memories from the past, / And love for them all will ever last.”

Hazel Fletcher of Purcell, now Hazel Nicholas of Marietta, had her poems published in The Oklahoman at least 12 times.

My memory of Christmas 2011 will be of the “wonky” Christmas tree.

My aunt Grace Helms, 88 years young, decided to decorate her 7-foot tree a row at a time, adding lights and decorations as she went.

It had 12 rows, but somehow rows 10, 11 and 12 were left on the back porch. When the top was added to the unstable wobbling tree, now only about 5 feet tall, it made for a “wonky tree.”

A new pre-lit tree was acquired, decorated and stands beautifully in the corner while the old one, with lights, decorations and tinsel, was delivered to a new family who had no tree, just in time for Christmas.

I hope this Christmas has given you wonderful memories to add to ones already made.

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