Her First Christmas (a poem)

Just after midnight 

I awoke to a squall

The whole house was sleeping,

But the smallest of all.

Her cries stopped at once

When she latched at my breast.

“Happy Christmas,” I whispered

And kissed her soft head

I was awoken at two.

Then from three through to five.

At six, I was snoring,

When the house came alive.

My eldest ran shrieking,

‘Santa brought me a spinner!’

My eyes were prized open 

By the middle child’s fingers.

“I’ll put on the kettle,”

My husband said with a sigh,

And we all traipsed downstairs,

While rubbing our eyes.

Legs crossed on the floor,

The babe fed on my knee.

I was surrounded by paper,

And squeals of sheer glee.

The kids were delighted 

With their new toys and games

They even opened presents

Marked with baby’s sweet name.

Then clothed in new sparkles,

They played with their toys.

The baby slept deeply,

In spite of the noise.

A ring at the doorbell

The hordes had arrived.

In came Auntie and Uncle,

And grandparents with smiles.

More presents were opened

And the baby passed round.

The toys for the children

Made terrible sounds.

Dad looked for some batteries 

With a crash and a clatter

And I fed the baby,

While we all had a natter. 

“I’ll cook the turkey!”

Uncle announced.

“And I’ll make potatoes,”

Grandma pronounced.

Baby stopped feeding,

So I passed her to Dad,

And slipped off for a doze

The first that I’d had.

But Aunt opened the oven

While the yorkies were rising

And my nap was disturbed

By the raised vocalising.

I went down to the kitchen,

Where they continued to snipe.

And I opened the freezer, 

Got the ready-made type.

“We’re so sorry,” they said.

“Didn’t mean to disturb you,

We’ll finish the dinner

Unless you’d prefer to?”

Of course, baby woke up

And the dinner was late.

I fed her one-handed 

And poked at my plate.

“I’ll cut up your food,”

Grandpa jumped up and said,

Tripping over the dog,

Who begged to be fed.

With Grandpa picked up

And my turkey cut small,

We pulled Christmas crackers

And laughed at it all.

We told stupid jokes 

And wore paper crowns.

The kids, high on sugar,

Danced round and round.

After chocolates and board games

And the Queen’s speech was said,

The children were ushered

Once more to their beds.

The family waved off

With happy goodbyes,

We sat down and immediately

Heard baby’s cries.

As I felt the milk flow

And snuggled her tight,

I said to my small one

On her first Christmas Night,

“The day wasn’t perfect

But there was family and love.

I hope your milk tastes of turkey

And you have all you dream of.”