A Footstep on the Stair

A Footstep on the Stair

I believed there was a jolly man..who flew across the sky,
A  man that was rewarded with..a sweet or a mince pie.
Dressed in red..a full white beard..a smile upon his lips,
Boots black as coal..with a buckled belt..encircling his hips.

I believed that all my presents..that I opened with such glee,
Had all arrived on Christmas Eve..especially for me.
Reindeer landing on the roof..with Santa in his sleigh,
Piled high with many lovely gifts..for me on Christmas Day.

He filled up my woollen stocking..and put presents by the tree,
He had to clamber down the chimney..because he didn’t have a key.
I’d asked if I could see him..but my daddy always said..
He’ll only come when you’re asleep..tucked up warm in bed.

I was always so excited..I couldn’t wait for night to fall,
Paper chains and tinsel …for when Santa came to call.
Gold and silver perfect balls..hanging on the tree,
Twinkling lights flashing on and off..so beautiful to see.

But then my dreams were shattered..by a boy I met at school,
Who said..” If you believe in that..then you really are a fool.
Reindeer flying through the sky!!..you really must be mad,
We all know who Santa is..it’s actually..your dad”!!

I just could not believe it..Christmas Day would not be long,
So I hatched a plan for Christmas Eve..to prove the boy was wrong.
After mum and dad had tucked me in..I lay there very still,
Then crept over to the curtains..to hide beneath the cill.

I looked out of the window..it was a cloudless moonlit night,
I searched the sky repeatedly..to see if Santa was in sight.
But all was still and tranquil..just a canopy of stars,
Perhaps Santa lived..way up there…on Jupiter or Mars.

And so I sat and waited..with my teddy on the floor,
Peeping through the curtain crack..I watched the bedroom door.
The night light by the bedside..cast a muted eerie glow,
Across my wooden soldiers..all standing in a row.

To make sure I didn’t miss him..I had written him a note,
And left it downstairs by the Christmas tree..and this is what I wrote.
I really do believe in you..and if you’ve got time before you go,
Please come up and visit me..I just want to say hello!

I’ll be waiting by the window..in the first bedroom on the right,
And there’s a mince pie and a chocolate..on a plate just by my light.
And so I sat there patiently..then heard a footstep on the stair,
But when I peeped..with sleepy eyes..there was no Santa there.

I don’t know how it happened..but the next thing that I knew,
I woke up in the morning..with the sunshine streaming through.
And I was tucked up back in bed..with my note on the empty plate,
Someone had written on the back..SORRY I WAS LATE!

So I never ever met him..even though I tried my best,
But even now on Christmas Eve..before laying down to rest.
I walk into the garden..and look up at the stars.
I still believe he’s up there..on Jupiter..or Mars.

© Martin Silvester 14/10/2017.