The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas

A girl, aged fourteen, with a can full of pop,
And her nails painted green, stands and watches a shop,
As they change the display, add some bright festive trees,
But she’s filled with dismay she no longer believes

Her sad acned skin hides a miserable frown
For the magic of Christmas has begun to fall down
She stares at the glass, and gulps up her Fanta,
While she longs for the past and the comfort of Santa

On the floor she spies toys and a bright sparkly light,
Gifts for good girls and boys which will no doubt excite,
Spots a little grey teddy in the corner alone
Half unstitched and unsteady so she pulls out her phone

Takes a photo and shouts to her Mum through the air
“I was wondering if you’d kindly purchase this bear,
As a present for me, a pretended surprise”
But the mother just laughs with a roll of her eyes

“That’s absurd, you’re fourteen, you like make-up and boys,
I don’t want to sound mean, but you’ve grown out of toys”
They walk on through the town with the girl’s head hung low
She feels a bit down that her Mum has said ‘no’

Doesn’t notice a figure in red with a beard
Crimson hood round his head by her side has appeared
Wander off to the store with a half empty case
And return through the door with a grin on his face

Some days later the mother goes back to the store
She asks, but the teddy’s not there anymore,
Discards the idea, nothing else seems fantastic,
Buys her daughter mascara with contactless plastic

Christmas morning arrives, and the daughter sleeps on,
Not much point getting up now the magic has gone
But in time she emerges, begins the unwrapping
Of mascara and slippers and eye shadow blacking

Grasps the last parcel, gives the paper a tear,
Blinks her watery eyes at the half-stitched grey bear
She gasps and then sighs, gives her mother a kiss
But it’s Mum who’s surprised, as she didn’t do this

But the man dressed in red shouts “Ho Ho” from his sleigh
Magic’s not dead on this bright Christmas Day.