A virtual Christmas is looming –
The virus can’t ruin our day…
We’ve all cracked the code – so we’re Zooming!
And we’re dressed in our best.
Hip-hooray.
But:
Gran has got stuck in a corner,
And Grandad is stopping on Mute –
And we all look incredibly ancient…
What happened?
We used to be cute.
Dad, in his Santa Claus jumper,
Has hung decorations with care;
While Mum’s found some old Christmas photos –
The magic we all loved to share.
Then Aunty admits she’s been cheating –
Her top half is terribly smart,
But under the table – she’s wearing
Odd socks that are falling apart.
Our Cousins will grumble for ages,
There’s the lockdown, the ruined career…
But the Children will plunder a Joke Book
To brighten this long, lonely year.
Now:
Our 45 minutes are over,
Our farewells have come from the heart,
And we wish we could hug one another –
As the screen
Softly tears us apart.
Yet somehow, we seem to be smiling…
Our memories keep us so warm,
We’ll grab a great handful of courage
And together
We’ll face every storm.
Claire Bevan