Blue smoke Christmas



It were a blue smoke Christmas down Ozark way,
that’s what Grandpa most always would say.
The hearths were hot the sky a might gloomy
as blue wood smoke lay gentle the valley.

The deer were frisky the beaver were busy,
the goose and gander were all in a tizzy.
Christmas was comin’ and that’s a big fuss,
as the smoke lays low gatherin’s a must.

The hound and cat lay snug in the barn,
the mule and the cow would keep them warm.
The chickens and goats soon came along,
all that was needed, was our nativity song.

Away in the mangier, we’re the wise men three
Grandpa made up words that he sang off key.
With the milkin’ done and the firewood in
it was time for bed and rememberin’ our ken.

We prayed for Grandma and old Uncle Gus,
and Ma and Pa, who done run off from us.
I prayed for a new, steel-runner sled,
Jeb cried for his Ma, as we climbed into bed.

It’s Christmas Eve across Ozark lands
there in the corner our lonely tree stands.
Grandpa kissed us and pulled the cover tight,
looking like Santa in the fading hearth light

The mornin’ was hushed in a blanket of snow,
blue smoke drifted through the valley below.
Grandpa was smokin’ his old corncob pipe,
a-sittin’ and grinnin’ like some cagey old snipe.

He tramped through the snow and from one of the sheds;
brought Jeb and Me back, two new… Flexible Flyer steel-runner sleds.


Love from Grandpa, Jeb and me

Ahhhh...what a nice picture you painted with your words, Jack...and such nice feelings they draw forth. I loved this...just the thing to come home to after a long, 10 hour day. Thank you! And if I don't get to say it again, I'll make sure I say it now:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

~~flutter~~

This was narrated in my head by the voice who narrates all the country christmas programs - to a tune like a song.

This was also kind of reminiscent of A Christmas Story (You'll shoot your eye out!)

I like this very much!

Vivid, evocative & very enjoyable!
Not just an old-fashioned lyrical Christmas picture, but much more than that - the way I see it, it's a good slice of the cake called Real Life. Well prepared, carefully carved, & pleasantly served. And it's good. Thank you!

... And how it reminded me of my own first steel-runner sled! Took me a bloody nose & a black eye, it did; but I loved it.

Jane

Flutter, I’m sorry I can’t be there to massage your neck after your long day but
pleased my poem brought a little relief; of course it’s not quite the same so you’ll
half to use you imagination.


Red, this is one of several of ‘Jeb and me’ poems I’ve written for Christmas.
The first was ‘Pork chops’ coming soon to a site near you.
I’m as pleased as a frog in a shallow pond that you liked my poem.


Jane, thank you for realizing what it was I was trying to accomplish
with this poem. Your words ‘and it’s good’ you can never know how
much that meant to me. Thank you again.


Jack (me)
I guess I’ve still got it, I pleased three beautiful ladies.

Jack...Christmas seemed so much simpler in days gone by...oh how I long for those quiet times once again.
I think my father in law had the right idea; when the kids poured through the front door, shouting and yelling and carrying on, he would simply wish a Merry Christmas to all and turn his hearing aid off!

Merry Christmas old chum.

“ Lionheart
~

Lionheart,
The last Christmas at our house there were more than 50 people;
I can still feel the thunder of love.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

This beautiful poem is well worthy of reviving this season. Thank you Jack for sharing some of your rich experiences and enlightened philosophies...