Christmas Children

Christmas from a different time and place

We had no Christmas trees

nor neatly-wrapped gifts.

A special spirit the sun carried

when we awoke on Christmas morning.

A bowl of rice garnished with stewed meat                             

of various assortments we ate                                

and after getting cleaned                                                                

wore our best dress of the year.

Then went door to door wishing all

a Christmas filled with joy.

"Christmas children,"

the grown-ups sang

"adoring your beautiful gowns"

and gave us pennies for Christmas sweets.

We had no Christmas trees

nor neatly-wrapped gifts.

A special spirit filled with bliss

the sun that morning carried

as we went door to door wishing all a

Merry Christmas.

                             Birgitta Abimbola Heikka