JOHN CIARDI
The stores wore Christmas perfectly
With little bells to ring for sales.
In neon, the Nativity
Proclaimed the spirit never fails.
Accessory to Monsieur’s paunch,
Madame’s embezzled look
Harassed the velvet screen where Punch
(Watched by wide-eyed kids) forsook
Judy. Forced to abdicate,
She did a wonderful children’s trick
And disappeared in billingsgate
Like a chattering monkey-on-a-stick,
And reappeared (gift-wrapped) to be
The nephew on the itemized list.
Monsieur, impatient, turned to flee,
But Madame had him by the wrist:
“Three more, my dear, and we are done.
Now, please be patient.” Box by box,
The puppets waited one by one:
Judy next to Goldilocks,
Pluto by Pinocchio,
Mickey next to Jack-Be-Quick.
Neon, pink upon the snow,
Made of every flake a wick
Till the last item itemized
By Madame, and the little bells,
Collateral to the surprised
Morning look of boys and girls,
Made carols on the children’s air
And brought a smile to Tiny Tim
And to Madame and to Monsieur,
Making a sudden light in her,
Ten years’ difference in him,
And so much difference in me
I’m ready to forgive you all
For what you’ll turn around and be,
Starting at nine the usual
Morning after memory.
1946