Poems by Ann D. Stevenson

My tasks for Christmas have begun
once the mistletoe's been hung.

Wrapped up presents under the tree,
hopefully opened up with glee.

A Christmas pudd and Christmas cake
amongst the  other goodies I've baked.

The turkey stuffed, ready to cook,
from much loved recipes in my book.

Table laid, plus crackers and games,
to keep it all fun, that's the aim.

But, oh it's such hard work for me.
It really is hard work for me.

To keep it all fun.  That's the aim,
table laid, plus crackers and games.

From much loved recipes in my book,
the turkey's stuffed, ready to cook.

Amongst other goodies, I've baked
a Christmas pudd and Christmas cake.

Hopefully opened up with glee,
wrapped up presents under the tree.

Once the mistletoe's been hung
my tasks for Christmas have begun.

I hear a muffled creak,
is that those old oak floors?

I see some dancing shadows,
ghostly flickerings on the walls.

Then there is a tapping noise,
rattling the window pane.

Next there is a dripping sound,
I hope that's just the rain!

I'm startled by a piercing shriek,
perhaps it is an owl?

A bit of peace, then I hear
a creature start to howl.

Now there is a scuffling noise,
up above my head.

Rustling, seems quite close
right now - is it on my bed?

Uncanny sounds unnerving me,
I really feel uptight.

I can't sleep now, I'm wide awake,
I'll just switch on the light.

A glass of wine nearby, he sat,
his spaniel beside him on the grass,
he flicked away a solitary wasp,
a buzzard circled overhead.

He watched both bird and insect
they were clearly to be seen,
unlike the predator within,
which lurked inside his bones.

Relaxed, he drank the wine,
a reminder of foreign climes,
snow slopes skied in Méribel,
boating trips on French canals.

Happy times, now long gone,
wine imbibed, creatures flown,
his empty glass caught the light
before the sun went down.