A Very Early Christmas Morning Long Ago

Posted on 2024-12-24 by Bartholomew Barker

The tinsel twinkles in the streetlight
seeping through the predawn living room.
I am awake, having stealthed down the steps
to seek Santa’s surprises.

With trembling hand, I ease the plug
into the outlet and lights explode
like jewels, revealing variegated packages
spilling from beneath the tree.

Eyes wide, I count the ones with my name
on the tag until I notice the kaleidoscope
of joyful shadows dancing on the wall
and the scent of blinking pine tickles my nose.

Outside the window, snow begins to fall
and I can’t help but sing “Noel Noel”.

 

(This one started out as a collaboration with my pals at Charles House. Note the final line is pretty much stolen from e. e. cummings. [Happy|Merry] Christmas!)

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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14 Responses to A Very Early Christmas Morning Long Ago

  1. DD's avatar DD says:
    2024-12-24 at 20:15

    I hope you enjoy Christmas Bart.
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:
    2024-12-25 at 01:36

    How lovely! Merry Christmas, Bart. ✨

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2024-12-25 at 04:35

    A Cool Yule to you, Bart…..

    https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122209953674036869&set=a.122127998096036869

    I hope I did that right!

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  4. luisa zambrotta's avatar luisa zambrotta says:
    2024-12-25 at 05:53

    Buon Natale❣️✨❣️

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. magickmermaid's avatar magickmermaid says:
    2024-12-25 at 11:12

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Dawn Pisturino's avatar Dawn Pisturino says:
    2025-01-16 at 11:54

    Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

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