Upper Hutt Libraries - Christmas Evening Poetry 2019

INSPIRE Christmas Evening A collection of christmas poems, from this year's Poetry Competition participants.

www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz

from the online catalogue

C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019

Our Christmas Traditions The Advent wreath counts down, lighting a candle for each week - preparation Carols play as we set up the tree - decoration Shopping, wrapping, baking, making crackers - anticipation Midnight mass on a summer night followed by coffee and Christmas ham sandwich checking Santa’s snack is out

- participation Christmas morning, sunny and bright gathering for family morning tea - visitation with present exchange and joy and fun lots to enjoy and food to delight - presentation Christmas dinner, crackers and bubbles outdoors until late into evening now the stars are out - reflection

good friends, good day, good night

completion!

- Barbara

W W W.U P P E R H U T T L I B R A R Y.C O. N Z 

Some Years Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge Over the thousands of kilometres of ocean from here to you, Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge Between today and a Christmas long past, when your laughter lit the room.

Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge Between what was, and could have been, to what is.

Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge Over the arguments and spilled wine.

Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge Over the years since we stood together under the candle light In a centuries old church, singing about a silent night.

Some years, I wish, I could braid together All the strands of tinsel, glitter ribbons, miles of wrapping paper And build a bridge between us.

- Cyndi C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019

Let’s Celebrate Christmas Together When Pohutukawa trees turn red, I know holiday season is coming.

When calendars have a page left I know another year is going.

When people start to buy gifts, I know Christmas on its way…

I know you miss me, When you look at my photos.

I know you count down, When weather gets cold.

I know you wait for me, When I am on my way home…

I am going home, From the south to the north, From summer to winter, To spend some time with you.

Let me hug you, Let me tell you how my year has gone.

Let’s celebrate Christmas, Let’s have a wonderful holiday together.

My dear Mum! - Michelle

W W W.U P P E R H U T T L I B R A R Y.C O. N Z

Christmas Compromise Kiwi Style Hey bro it’s Christmas, heads or tails?

Tails Once again Christmas confusion becomes kiwi crap It’s made up, mixed up, adjusted, borrowed and wrapped The Grinch’s bah humbug stokes two dollar bling Let’s just forget it; it’s such a northern hemisphere thing Juggling family egos, a dozen balls in the air Over stretched, anxious trauma, riding the wave Overseas posting – bugger, missed it again The days disappeared with no time to rhyme Elderly shitty behavior drives demon dementia, Missing mum’s rice pudding - gone, memory erased Midnight mass, choir commitments, then early waking Stress bunnies bouncing, counting and breaking Can’t remember the last time I had a holiday…

Or an afternoon snooze - Wait I’ve a plan Christmas’s cancelled this year I think I’ll go on a cruise instead

Hey bro it’s Christmas, let’s coin toss again Heads Christmas compromise - the name of the game It’s made up, mixed up, adjusted, borrowed and wrapped Sensible presents just one of them each Planning the preparation with bubbles and chocolate

C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019

Gleeful anticipation of less shopping and prepping My ordered food bag does all of the thinking Christmas cake, turkey, strawberries, rice pudding I found mum’s recipe when we cleaned out her house It’s all about family, family, family Kid laughs and fun days spread out over weeks Bathed in more chocolate, bubbles and cake Then packing our bags at the end of the run We’re off on a cruise – three generations - fixed to fight and have fun!

Yes, it’s Christmas compromise - kiwi style!

- Marion

W W W.U P P E R H U T T L I B R A R Y.C O. N Z

Christmas with the Crazies It was the night before Christmas and the tree inside our house at number 42 was looking gorgeous.

Next door to the tree was Uncle George, he was not a pretty sight, he had found the box of chocolate liqueurs early and ate all thirty-five last night.

His head may have been hanging but that didn’t stop Aunt Joy giving him a nagging.

‘I can’t believe you ate those George, you’ve embarrassed me in front of my sister Maud.’

Now Maud is a rather strict lady, I should know I’ve dealt with her since I was a baby.

You’ve guessed it she’s my Mum and she can be a right pain in the bum!

She’s always telling me to keep clean and tidy and do all my chores.

As much as I hate this I have to do them even if they are a bore.

You see, I need Mum to put in a nice word for me to Mr. Santa as I am hoping to finally get a pet panda.

If not I think I at least deserve an Xbox as Iast year father gave me an eggs box.

Oh how he thought it was an excellent joke, he got his comeuppance though as he laughed so hard he began to choke.

C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019

It served him right for being so mean and stuffing his face with too many chocolate beans.

Tonight father is preparing tomorrow’s ham, although he is getting some confusing instructions from Gran.

‘Now put the hippopotamus in the circle and cook it at one hundred and eighty degrees until it begins to gurgle.’

Oh dear it is clear that Gran has already had one sherry too many.

My sister has the right idea sitting in the corner alone watching a cartoon about reindeer.

I may live with a bunch of crazy people but they are still my favourite people and having Christmas without them wouldn’t be the same, in fact it would be rather lame.

Although if Aunt Joy gives me another pair of those knitted pants in grey I’m going to go as crazy as them on Christmas Day! - Stephanie

W W W.U P P E R H U T T L I B R A R Y.C O. N Z

Once upon a Christmas Dream The stockings were hanging by the fire Mince pies for Santa, carrots for his deer I couldn't sleep for excitement Christmas day was almost here It was A lovely evening The stars were big and bright I found myself in Upper Hutt On a pleasant moonlit night Suddenly l saw father Christmas He gave me a freindly wave He was loitering in the carpark Outside of pak n save He didn't look very jolly There was no Ho Ho Ho He said he had lost his reindeers With his sleigh in tow I said l would help him search For his reindeer crew We walked from Countdown to McDonalds But we didn't have a clue Old Santa tried to track them down By looking for reindeer poo At last we reached the library And there to our delight Was Rudolph and the gang His nose lit up the night

C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019

The reindeer crew were restless And were chewing on some twigs And Santa remembered to return a book Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs Without further hesitation Santa jumped onto his sleigh He bellowed merry Christmas I must be on my way He thanked me for my help And placed a sugar mouse in my hand A gift for Christmas day He said l must travel over foreign land Through snow, wind and rain And dessert storms of sand To fill each small child's stocking With my own fair hand I wished him merry Christmas And l gave a great big yawn I opened my eyes to realise It had all been a dream I hadn't met father Christmas Or his reindeer team I hadn't even left the house But the mystery was in my hand A small pink sugar mouse

- Rose

W W W.U P P E R H U T T L I B R A R Y.C O. N Z 

2019

www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz C H R I S T M A S E V E N I N G 2 019