These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Christmas in the 1960s

A little boy stood marveled, froze, transfixed,
the silver tree of ornaments most blest,
emotions in his heart were truly mixed
for Christmas day was here, the waitings' wrest.

At this same time, the day was best and worst
for presents came, yet some were not amongst
the wished-for ones, the heart's own unique thirst.
The waiting's o'er, another year upon us.

So many months he'd looked for Christmas crafts
among the shelves of Five and Dime, big stores
when finally sight elicited his laughs,
"They're here!" as wondrous times of years before.

November and December were his days
of brightest lights and snowy banks for plays.

by Jay O’Toole
on December 4th, 2023