Monday, November 30, 2015

Old Christmas

OLD CHRISTMAS
Circa 1932

Not a sound
in the Matheson Cove,
snow glowing on black velvet,
cattle kneel at midnight.

Rabbit tracks zigzag
across the Shewbird Mountain,
wood smoke curves heavenward,
icicles dangle from the log cabin.

A hickory log flickers
in the fireplace,
corn pone bakes in the Dutch oven,
paper chains and popcorn

drape the fir tree.
Younguns toss in feather beds,
listen for reindeer on the roof,
will Santy Claus find the cove?

Early Christmas morning,
cranberry skies spill across
the Blue Ridge Mountains
echoing with sleigh bells.

Ronda, Reba, Ralph, Reuben,
Rena, Robert, Robenia, and Ray
grab goodies from their stockings:
apples, oranges, hazel nuts,

candy canes, peppermint drops, toys
Pa carved in the woodshed.
Before dinner Ma reads
the story of baby Jesus.

Robert gets his fiddle,
voices blend with carols.
An old-fashioned Christmas,
come to the manger!
                     --Brenda Kay Ledford











My mom ( Blanche), and I wish all our blogger friends a very Merry Christmas and joyful New Year!

15 comments:

magnoliasntea said...

What a lovely old-fashioned Christmas you have captured with your poem! Love it, especially the kids' names.
And a wonderful Christmas to you and your mom, too!
Toni

Connie said...

This is a lovely poem. Brenda, and your Christmas decorations are beautiful too. Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas!

Hootin Anni said...

Wow....your words put me right smack dab in the middle of it all. I could feel the warmth glow from within. Wonderful.

And beautiful photos. Your header is a basket that is one of your photos...did you make it?

Donna Volkenannt said...

Lovely photos and sentiments. The photo of you and your mom is especially wonderful.

My grandmother was called Blanche Ledford, too. Her first name was Minerva, but she went by Blanche.

Glenda Beall said...

Love the poem, the photographs and especially you and your mother ready for Christmas.
May I copy that photo for our Netwest blog?
You have a most beautiful blog, Brenda. It is always a joy to visit here.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and precious photo of you and your Mother. Happy December and Merry Christmas to you both. The poem brings back such sweet memories...it is beautiful. May God bless you both.

TexWisGirl said...

sweet photo of you both! a lovely look back to simpler days. :)

lil red hen said...

Just the way a Christmas should be! Merry Christmas to you and your mother, Brenda. The pictures are lovely.

Janet, said...

Lovely poem, Brenda. And, I just love the pictures. Wish I had a kitchen table and red chairs like the one pictured.

Anonymous said...

p.s. I have a new blog address
http://mwnalley.blogspot.com

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Thank you for Old Christmas! It is lovely, and good to think back to a simpler day.
You and your Mom look gorgeous!!!

Sami Pat said...

Hello. I'm a first time reader and enjoyed the poem which reminded me of my mother's stories of Christmas on Clear Creek in McDowell County. Are the tops for sale somewhere?
Thank you.
Sami

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Loved this old Christmas post! Just beautiful! Such a great photo of you and your Mom! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Such a wonderful post. Love the photo of you and your mom! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy this beautiful Christmas season. I appreciate your blog friendship.