Sitting in front of the fire, Auntie Flo's reciting a story, <br />it's one about her first Christmas as a newly wed, <br />the same one she broadcasts every year, <br />but no one is listening. <br /> <br />Uncle Fred, 'out to the world' snores rhythmically <br />on the sofa. <br /> <br />Mother exhausted, having cooked the lunch, <br />without help, as usual, <br />stifles a yawn. <br /> <br />Dad, brow furrowed, is trying to piece together <br />Eddy's lego set, <br />whilst Eddy glowers, <br />after all, it was 'his' present. <br /> <br />Joe, playing with a set of 'disco lights' <br />is sending flashes of colour across the room, <br />straight into Grandpa's eyes, <br />making him feel even more bilious <br />after having consumed too many chocolates. <br /> <br />Grandma's knitting. <br />Grandma always knits on Christmas Day, <br />and every other day, come to that, <br />probably yet another scarf for what she believes is <br />still the war effort. <br /> <br />The cat, curled up on her lap, purrs contently, <br />oblivious of the knitting needles, waving precariously <br />in front of his sleepy eyes. <br /> <br />Susan is gazing at the TV screen, . <br />glued, for the umpteenth time to, 'The Sound of Music' movie, <br />singing every song, word for word, <br />at the top of her voice. <br /> <br />'Turkey was nice', said Auntie, <br />'I was given too much', moaned Grandpa, belching loudly. <br />'Your problem is, you never can refuse a second helping', said Grandma, 'so it's your own fault'. <br /> <br />Mother grins and asks, <br />'Would anybody like another mince pie? '<br /><br />Ernestine Northover<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-family-christmas/
