[stylist] Christmas Morn poem, Christmas assignment

[Barbara Hammel]

The only things true in this poem are that I have two sisters and a brother and that I did get a doll one year that has been very special to me.  (I actually got her when I was three.)
This is a new one of which I’m going to practice taking suggestions and make changes.  I will, I will, I will learn to edit and rewrite.  I will.


  CHRISTMAS MORN
By Barbara Hammel



When I awoke on Christmas morn

The year when I was six,

I knew my brother would open

A package of Lego bricks.



I knew my oldest sister had

A gift of gobs of hair ties

And my other sister was getting

A pleasant Barbie surprise.



My mom would have an angel

To put on the Christmas tree

And my dad would find a present

Of assorted herbal tea.



Excitedly we ran downstairs

But tiptoed across the floor

But brother shouted with glee

When we reached the living room door



For sitting with a red bow and

A tag that said Fred

Was the object of his heart's desire,

A brand-new saucer sled.



Oldest sis got a dollhouse

With which she said I could never play

And the other got a toy horse

She could ride and make it neigh.



Their stockings were filled  with video games

And candy and miscellany toys.

I felt like I was drowning

In all their happy noise.



And what was there for me that day,

I'm sure you're wanting to know,

Besides the satisfaction

Of gently falling snow.



My mom and dad did give to me,

I think the best gift of all,

For, that year, under the Christmas tree

Was a longed-for baby-doll.



Oldest sis gave a stroller,

Brother gave a crib

Other sis gave a high chair,

And my stocking held a bib



And sheets for the crib and a blanket

And clothes for the dolly, too,

And candy for me to eat,

And mittens, red, white and blue.



I forgot about the dollhouse

And horsey thoughts left my head,

In the back of my mind I knew

I'd get to go sledding with Fred.



All I could hold in my heart that day,

And she's still here after all these years,

Was a blue-eyed, brown-haired baby-doll

Who would see me through smiles and tears.





Barbara



Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.--John F. Kennedy