Miscellany – A Christmas Reflection by John Whelan is from a new collection of poems entitled Stoked, which are to be published later next year.
I miss Miscellany
Especially on the eve of Christmas
To there we made our pilgrimage
To this shrine of sharing
Gifts, not of gold, frankincense, and myrrh
But of mirth, friendship, incense and galah
Glad to be here for another year
All sorts of mad hatter magic in
Miscellany
Presents that said you really cared.
That it’s the thought that counts
And you could count on Miscellany
For trinkets, and toys and tantalising things
From the four corners
Each with their own creator
Their secrets unfolding in
Miscellany
To mull over
The mulled wine and home baked mince pies
Miscellany was box office
For the musical, the panto, the jazz, the arts festival
Mary loved to make an exhibition
Of herself, as she danced on tables
To no one’s tune
Except maybe Loyko, the Russian Gypsy Band
Or Ian Richards and the Soulmasters, and sure didn’t he looklike
Jesus Christ himself, born to be on stage, to save us all from the sin
Of standing still.
Still, I miss Mary
Mother of Jesus, Moll
She was our Gráinne Mhaol
She was box office
Worth heading into Miscellany for Mary
Alone
Worth the trip to Miscellany
For the wrapping
Alone
Mary’s wrapping, the bells and bows
That said
‘You’re a million dollars baby’
I miss Mary, for the wrapping
Alone
On Christmas Eve
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