THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN BY FIONA CUMMINGS

THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN
BY FIONA CUMMINGS
Christmas is coming getting closer each day
Taking a train to see Santa on his sleigh
Same old journey along the icy track
Above our head in the luggage rack
Are parcels tied with bows
Children looking through the windows
Hoping it will snow
As they pass the reindeers grazing by the side
Their excitement they can’t hide
The guard comes to check the tickets for the Polar express
A little boy in his snowman jumper
And a tiny girl in a velvet dress
Another in a knitted hat scarf and gloves
It’s this time of year the engine purrs
Chugger chug along its way
As parcels filled with love
Are about to be delivered to Santa’s workshop
Stockings with sherbet dips and a lolly pop
Colourful balloons
Musical boxes with Christmas tunes
The train starts to slow down
There is snow on the ground
Fairy lights on the merry go round
Galloping horses
Clippity clopping on their courses
The smoke from the train
As it pulls away again
A chocolate fountain
With Cadbury kisses
And Toblerone wishes
Magical butterflies
Fluttering so wise
Whilst elves try to memorise
What did little Sally ask for?
As she stood with her key to her front door
Because she doesn’t have a chimney
Unlike toddler Timmy
Tiny tots head towards the red brick house
Sitting on a chunk of chees
Is the Christmas mouse
This is Santa’s home
Whispered a gnome
All the children sat around the log fire
Listening to the story of Christmas
That would inspire
Then in he came
Stamping his black boots
Covered in chimney soot
Coat the colour of a flame
Carrying a toy train
Under one arm
And the other a wooden farm
He took a carrot for his reindeer
Sat on a rocking chair with children near
Carrol singers harmonised
Whilst adults ate mince pies
Santa Claus wore silver glasses
Over the tops, he did peer
“Now boys and girls can I remember your names?
Was it Jack who wanted these games?””
To Jacks astonishment, they were what he wrote on the letter
He posted the week earlier
Then there was a girl called Emma
Who wished for her Daddy to return from wherever?
As Santa stroked his beard looking thoughtful
He said the words that were so beautiful
“Dear little Em
I spoke to him
He told me how much he loves you
And watches over you
This is true
But he had to go and look after others
Sister and brothers
Who don’t have Fathers or Mothers
He said to love your Mummy and tell her this secret
He only has one regret
That he has to wait a long time before he is with you all
But when it’s your turn
Snow will fall
Logs will burn
Fairies will fly
Leaving traces of dust
Under a rainbow sky
You will all be together again
When it’s time to catch that particular train
In the meanwhile
He asked
To make your mummy smile
Put on your funny mask
And play chase like you did with him
Because he isn’t far
Just reach to the stars
And know he is there
To love and care
For you and others
Who need a special parent?
And in the meanwhile, he gave me this gift””
Santa told her to help him to lift
An enormous box
She recognised the cloth
It was one from her Daddy’s work shop
He didn’t want her to see it when he was hear
Now she would know what was under there?
Emma did stare
As the cloth was removed
To show a dolly’s cradle
Made from wood
colour sable
Attached to a rail was a label
Witch Emma read a loud
“darling I won’t be here for Christmas
But know I’m proud
My bonnie lass
Who will forever stand out in the crowd
I made this when I was well
But I knew I would be ill
There was no treatment no magic pill
But this was made with love
And now I am flying high above
Throwing clouds of love
And preparing a special Christmas cottage for when you come here
In the meanwhile, I send you cheer
And tell your Mummy I will always be here””
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house
Not a squeak from the mouse
But the little girl knew
That Santa was true
Because how did he know
What her Daddy was making?
And as for his key?
The workshop door had been closed
Since Mummy and Granny planted a rose
No one could get in without a key
And Mummy said she would never open the door
So, Emma got a part of her Daddy
And she knew he hadn’t left her after all
He just had to care for the other children so small
Who were not lucky like her to have a Mummy
Santa gave her a parcel which she opened
To see a mask so funny
With a red nose and orange hair
She knew that laughter she would have to share
As for the other children
They didn’t need gifts from the sack
Because they knew how lucky they were
To have their own Mum and Dad
Santa’s job was done for another year
And he would come back full of cheer
But more importantly
He taught a lesson on families
As he went back with his sack
To open doors from Mrs Claus
Fields of ferns
Apple trees covered in mistletoe
Beautiful falling snow
And magical dust where ever he would go
Next time you see Santa
Give him a smile and a wave
As for this memory
I hope you will save
In a part of your heart
Where love can’t leave you
Light a candle for those who wait for you
A Christmas wish
And a candy kiss
Merry Christmas

© Fiona Cummings