Cowboy Country/Christmas/Poem Tamara Hillman

Cowboy/Country Christmas

My mind begins to wander

to them days of long ago,

I'd hear the bells on jingle-sleighs

an' feel the cold, wet snow

My pony'd start to whinny

with breath that I could see

as we rode up in the mountains

to fetch a Christmas tree

Our fingers were kept busy

stringin' berries for that tree,

popcorn, stars, an' candles—

it was quite a site to see

I remember our log cabin

that set down by the lake,

an' think of sacrifices

my folks sure had to make

I think about my mother

preparin' special treats,

an' hangin' up the stockin's

she took right off our feet

An' dear ol' Dad a workin'

to build that favored toy,

fullfillin' all the fancy dreams

of each child, girl or boy

I smell the goose Mom cooked us,

an' taste the punkin' pie,

the turnip greens an' taters

piled half way to the sky

I hear the Christmas blessin',

heads bowed before the meal,

hopin' all our guests agreed

'bout how it made us feel

"Cause we were taught the reason

why we celebrate

the Christ Child bein' born that day,

it weren't just chance nor fate

An' when I hold my children,

though Christmas ain't the same—

I'll teach 'em 'bout that Holy Day

an' to revere His name.

© 2006, Tamara Hillman

This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.