| Dancing Dust |
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| Poems by Mollie Caird (1922-2000) |
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| A grouse in a pear tree | |
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Ten more shopping days,
Who must get the Christmas cards, the postage stamps, the holly boughs,Into-Woolworth's-popping days, So-tired-she's-nearly-dropping days For stalwart Mum: Who must buy the mistletoe, the baubles for the tree? Who must choose and pack and post the presents for the relatives, Be blamed if they're white elephants? - Who but she? Eight more baking days,
Who must try to housekeep in a rising tide of envelopes,Back-breaking, mince-pie-making days, Head-aching, icing-caking days For struggling Mum: Put silver coins in puddings, hide the parcels as they come? Who must fill the stockings, tip the postman, stuff the turkey, Dress Wise Men for the pageant? - Yes, who but Mum? Six more buying days,
'Peace on Earth' the angels sang, and carol singers tell usUnquestionably trying days, Sighing-almost-crying days For suffering Mum: That Christmas is the season when all strife and trouble cease; Mum hears them too, and doesn't like to disbelieve the angels - BUT WHEN ON EARTH DOES MOTHER GET HER LITTLE BIT OF PEACE? Oxford Times, 13 December 1963 The Dancing Dust and other poems, 1983 |
