If the ghost of my Christmas past
paid me a visit
what would I see?
I’d see ribbon candy and mixed nuts
in a living room buzzing with relatives.
I’d smell rib roast and potatoes
beneath a haze of cigarette smoke.
I’d taste pumpkin pie with cool whip
and egg nog from a delicate glass.
I’d hear shouts of
“Thank you, Mom!”
“It’s perfect!”
“Save the bows!”
And I’d feel like I was enveloped in love,
safe and warm
like I never wanted the night to end

If the ghost of Christmas present
paid me a visit
what would I see?
I’d see my two twenty-something kids
in their pajamas on Christmas morning
I’d smell coffee and ebelskivers
and the scent of evergreen.
I’d taste the marshmallow and fruit
of our chocolate fondue tradition.
I’d hear carols seeping from the stereo
Bing, and Perry, and Nat King Cole.
And I’d still feel enveloped in love,
grateful and fortunate
like my heart was given a great gift.

If the ghost of Christmas future
paid me a visit
what would I see?
I’d see that family always comes first
I’d breathe in the redemption in Christ’s birth
I’d taste the sweetness of a life well lived
I’d hear the call to be present and love big
and I’d feel like I’d lived a beautiful dream.


© by Jim Landwehr.
Used with the author’s permission.