REFLECTIVE: “CHRISTMAS IN OUR YARD” BY SULAIMON KHALID

In my days, still young,

when Christmas time came,

our teeth were always out,

waiting for that uncle and aunt

who promised us gifts; and came.

On our wrists,

we wore plastic watches;

on our faces,

Christmas masks;

the ones said to come from Rome.

Early morning,

you’d find us all outside with plates;

for burning pots waited in the yard,

their steam calling our names.

But now,

Christmas seems to have changed.

No more banger sounds;

the police are near.

No more matching dresses;

now, we have a choice.

No more trees

dressed in Christmas lights;

no time to dress a tree,

no time for carols;

we have grown too big for that age.

Christmas in my yard,

in those early days,

used to be pure fun,

because we had

those we loved around.

But now,

I'm only home for the holidays,

time has stolen some moments

but left us with memories;

for it is que será, será.

©️ SULAIMON KHALID

-Nigeria

This poem is a nostalgic reflection on the speaker's childhood Christmases, contrasting the carefree joy of youth with the complexities of adulthood. Vivid imagery like "teeth were always out, waiting for that uncle and aunt" and "burning pots waited in the yard" evokes a sense of magical simplicity, while lines like "time has stolen some moments" and "we have grown too big for that age" convey the bittersweet passage of time. The poem's conversational tone and simple language add to its wistful, introspective mood, capturing the universal experience of looking back on cherished memories.