Monday 23 December 2013

Christmas Past

Madonna With the Milk Soup, 1510, Gerard David 
He remembers her;
she all proud and plump and pinafore(d),
she mythering and a-muttering
as porridge splattering and a-spluttering
simmers (like her temper) on the stove.

He watches from the door,
mouth drooling and tongue a-lolling
for the toast she is a-buttering,
nothing else mattering
but the grumble in his belly.

The kids are on the floor
pulling paper off their prezzies,
sucking satsumas found in stockings,
delirious with delight as *Magoo
(in black and white)
finds his way onto the telly.

This was the time! 
The beginning of The Day! 

He remembers her, he remembers then.  
And then she went away.

She ran off with anyone who’d take her,
tinker tailor butcher baker
and finally met her maker in the year of ’84. 
The kids are big shots in the city,
(who conveniently forgot him)
who selfish and rich rotten
never set a foot across his door.

So this day he sits alone
but by crikey he still misses her
and in these Christmas dreams he kisses her,
she all proud and plump and pinafore(d)
(in his dreams his toast she’s a-buttering)
and he hears himself a-muttering;
she’s the one that I adored.

Awww!

Anna :o]

With thanks to Tess at The Mag for the inspiration – the Milk Soup (porridge) bit – not necessarily the image; also shared with the good folks at Poets United - thanks Mary.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all; have both – or else!

When I was a lass an essential part of Christmas was Mr Magoo - watch below and treat yourself!

16 comments:

ADDY said...

How sad. And beautifully written. A Happy Christmas to you x

^.^ said...

So enjoyed the video:) Merry XMas and a Happy New Year. Love,cat

Sumana Roy said...


beautiful.....

Claudia said...

oh heck...you wove a whole story into this that also leaves some room for us to fill in the blanks...very cool... and wishing you a wonderful relaxed christmas time...

Brian Miller said...

nice...i love mr magoo...hahaha....def fine story telling...a bit sad...a touching end though....

Stormcat Poetry said...

You always forgive the ones you truly love no matter the hurt. . .

stgreenie said...

Love the poetry and the bittersweet ending//Love is certainly blind

Happy Holidays!!!

Cressida de Nova said...

Just beautiful Anna ! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

kaykuala said...

How touching and a little sad. He's def lonely. The kids could be around. Love Mr Magoo. It was there too when I was a kid! Thanks for the memories Anna!

Hank

Manzanita said...

It makes one stop and think. Especially the kids, as they follow the glitz.

Berowne said...

Splendid, and quite moving. Joyeux Noel!

Anonime said...

Merry Christmas Anna, and a happy and peaceful New Year to you and yours :-)

Tess Kincaid said...

"...proud and plump and pinafore(d)" is just wonderful! Happy 2014 Anna!

Helena said...

Anna, what a fabulous post - had me giggling and emotional. I can relate to so much of it! Mr.Magoo will always remain in my heart. Pity so many kids haven't even heard of him!!

Anonymous said...

I love this Anna, the repeating stanza is brilliant =)

Martin said...

Soul food for Christmas : ) I hope you enjoyed yours.