Real Christmas

Fiorella's Christmas sonnet from 1986, when she was a young mother:

I placed the proper plastic on the door

And wound the newel post with ersatz holly

I bought some frosted cookies at the store

And ordered all the children to be jolly

I flocked the tree with simulated snow

And stained the mirror glass with cellophane

I stacked some carols on the stereo

And sprayed ice pictures on the windowpane

I listened to the store-front Santa's tale

My duty gifts are underneath the tree

My hundred slick-faced cards are in the mail

Signed "Love," with holiday sincerity

     The halls are decked with manufactured zeal

     But the Christ Child in my joyous heart is real.