The Christmas Stalking by Maureen GlaudeNow, my brother-in-law Jack's a great guy
but you'd have to say he's hyper
in fact, his wife, my sister
can get that way too
the night I phoned them
a week or so before Christmas
at their rural North Gower home
I caught them in a state
'They're coming for the lights!
Our Christmas lights, that is!"
Jack sounded stressed
his eyes wide-round, I pictured
Aliens?
No. Wandering turkeys
"They're attracted to the lights around our house.
Come right up to them," he screeched
And I remembered their latest complaint
about their negligent neighbours
with too many creatures
out of control
War of the Worlds, again?
My sister grabbed the phone-
explained they'd already called
the bylaw people, whose sympathy
was limited to: "I bet you'd rather have them on your table, eh?"
Apparently the turkeys are quite sweet
would practically let you
ride their backs, my sister said
unlike their forerunners
trespassing geese
now, they'd had their vicious ways
I decided not to tell them just yet
that my son had been planning
with his office bonus grocery cheque
to surprise them with a turkey
as we ended the call
I could just see
the mesmerized strays
in front of the twinkling bay window
and Jack and my sister gawking back
stalked in their own bungalow
A strange first noel, I guess
12/15/2003 Author's Note: re-posted in honour of Jack, a star of this poem, now a star in the sky, especially over their home in the country. Never forgotten.
Posted on 12/18/2006 Copyright © 2024 Maureen Glaude
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 12/18/06 at 07:45 PM Good to read this again, and great sense and use of humour throughout! Although I only met Jack once, I still feel a special sadness now that he's gone as he seemed quite the likeable guy. |
Posted by Christel Crews on 12/22/06 at 01:27 AM what a funny sort of piece and a lovely tribute to him! |
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