Comment from Mary Vigasin

Excellent

I know that the perception is Christmas is magic with little cherub's faces aglow, with the peaceful and warmth of being with family.
No, it is not! It is more like your poem, hectic and chaotic.
So well done and a delightful read.
I wish you luck in the contest; it should be a contender.
Best wishes,
Mary

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2022

Thanks, Mary. The chaotic days are behind us now, but the memories are still there.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

"Some naked, some in clothes," made me laugh!

The stanza that begins "I open up the cupboard" - there is a weird symbol at the end of the second line.

Oh, Paul, this perfectly describes so many Christmas mornings that we all share - right down to the Jim Beam (Cabernet for me).

Thanks for sharing this terrific post, and Merry Christmas to you:-)

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2022

Thanks, Pam. I'm sure this scene has been played out all over the world many times.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Exactly right, a good description of the reality of Christmas morning. Definitely a fun write and a pleasure to read. I like its authenticity and realism. Maybe a winner here! Well done. Best wishes.
Wendy

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2022

Thanks, Wendy. I should have put in the added confusion with the dogs.

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

You are killing me. This was hysterical. Your descriptions of the chaos and mayhem were spot on. I loved how you described the kids barreling downstairs in various stages of dress and undress. Very funny poem. Gretchen

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2022

Thanks, Gretchen. It was chaos at the time, but I look back on those times with a smile on my face.

Comment from Karyn2

Excellent

Oh no! You were peeking in my house last Christmas! This was my story and my family and our quarrels!! Lol. It really has changed. There are so few toys that would bring joy to my kids now with technology being all they really want and I too detest it but enjoy the silence and reprieve! This year Santa is giving mostly practical things like fancy new lunch boxes, stationary, books and the like and we are gifting our kids adventures to musicals, horse riding and zoo for family time.
What a laugh your poem is! So much understanding in each line that makes it an absolute hoot! One edit: you just have something weird happening end of this line:
"And it's then that I must choose â?"
Merry Christmas may the Man Cave be peaceful and the arguments few.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2022

Thanks, Karyn. Those days are in my past now, but the memories linger on.

Comment from Mary Shifman

Excellent

This would make a great illustrated book. It sounds all to familiar but you make it sound hilarious. In some ways, the holiday tradition hasn't changed all that much since I was a kid. You did a great job here. Good luck in the contest. It looks like a winner to me.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022

Thanks, Mary. This was true for me for many years. The only difference being that it was Moxie instead of liquor.

reply by Mary Shifman on 21-Dec-2022

I never developed a taste for Moxie but I hit the hot coco pretty hard!

Comment from amahra

Excellent

Best wishes in this contest, but if you don't win for the poem, you should definitely win for the longest poem in Fanstory history...wow 22 stanzas. LOL! But I'm just joking. It was a fine poem. I enjoyed the poetic story and its fine rhyming.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022

Thanks, amahra. A long poem, but a short night before Christmas.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Paul, you describe it so very well. When I was younger it seemed that Christmas took on a life on its own now all my gifts are for my three grandchildren and then no more. I loved your poem and good luck. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022

Thanks, Ulla. Yep, it's grandkids now.

Comment from Sugarray77

Excellent

A hilarious and rollicking poem that many of us can relate to during these holidays. Well done on the rhyming quatrains and the superb end rhyme choices. Good luck, Paul!!!

Melissa

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022

Thanks, Melissa. I thought this might strike a familiar note for most people.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this Christmas story/poem contest entry with us. I agree with most of it, except for the bottle of Jim Beam. I enjoyed reading and wish you the best of luck.

And it's then that I must choose â?" (Evil Eddie)

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022

Thanks, Barb. The Jim Beam was the only fictional part of the poem. My preferred drink is Moxie.