Author: Ray Romine

Discussion fills the air–ah, me!
We’re shopping for a Christmas tree.
There’s the usual annual stir
Which to purchase–pine or fir?
Father wants one slightly smaller;
Sister says a little taller.
“That one’s skinny,” pipes up brother.
“Too few branches.” This from mother.
On height and shape and kind and size
At long, long last, we compromise–
Not so much for tension-easing
As to relieve us–we were freezing.
But hope for early peace is dimmed
By the fact the tree’s untrimmed…

by Ray Romine Wednesday, December 12, 1951

I think we forgot one distant cousin;
Buy one more card–make it a dozen ,
For there’s Aunt Hattie and Uncle Mike
We overlooked, and Beth and Spike-
And Mrs. Wimbleton–she ‘ s a dear
(I’m sure she sent us one last year).
Sending a yacky one to your mother
Is one impulse I’ll try and smother,
Something drippy for grandma’s taste;
For Great-aunt Helen, something chaste.
Loren will like it, if it’s risque,
Catch-as-catch-can, or come-what-may.
One with a Santa for little Pete;
For the next-door neighbor, something sweet.
Jonesy ‘s daughter, we overlooked her-
Christmas cards are just mur-DER.
Send ’em by hundreds, or by the score,
When you think you’ ve finished, there’s just one more!

by Ray Romine Thursday, January 5, 1950

“Christmas, as we older grow,
Diff’rent is from long ago–“
IS it different? Has it changed,
Or have we become estranged?

Christmas spirit changes not:
From our time to Camelot
Same it has been; but, I fear,
WE change every passing year!

by Ray Romine Tuesday, November 24, 1942

Here, where the fire is warm and bright,
We trim our Christmas tree tonight
With cones, icicles, lights and bells
And tinkly things with Christmas smells.

But best of all, awhile ago
I peeked outside, to see it snow!
Our Christmas dreams will all come true–
The snow is trimming outdoors too.

by Ray Romine Saturday, June 12, 1954