christmas bubble lights 1948

 

aunt madline and uncle marvin

were rich, they lived in Memphis

had running water, indoor toilet

and a big black car

 

they visited us each year

on their way to hot springs

to soak in hot water mineral baths

for their aches and pains

 

one year they brought us their old

string of electric bubble lights

ones that bubbled up a little tube

when you turned them on

 

this really made christmas special

on christmas eve we sat

around the tree gazing at the

lights bubble in different colors

while we ate oranges apples and

and ribbon candy

 

when the others went to bed

I sat and watched the

lights bubble me into fantasy land

santa was on his way in a sleigh

with reindeer pulling it through the sky

 

I did not question how reindeer

could fly without wings or how

he went to all kids houses in

one night, it did not matter

that was for the adults to worry about

 

mama told me before she went to

bed that she thought santa was

going to bring me a present this year

how could she know this?

 

we did not have a fireplace with

a chimney so daddy said he would leave

the front door key under the rock

by the stoop

 

I went to bed and had trouble

going to sleep waiting to hear

santa and the reindeer

 

I awakened to a little bell ringing

It was morning

I jumped up thinking santa was

in the living room with my gift

 

in I ran

and it was mama and

daddy standing by the tree holding

a little bell and smiling

 

under the tree was a beautifully

wrapped gift with my name on it

 

mama said to unwrap it carefully

because santa would need to get

it back to wrap

presents again next year

 

I unwrapped the gift

inside was a metal wind-up

car that was just wonderful

I was thrilled

 

I carefully smoothed out the

paper and folded it and handed it

to mama to save for santa

 

what I know now, but not then

was that aunt madeline brought

the little car for me and gave it to

mama to save for chrismas

 

as a kid I saw her as short and fat

with smelly breast where she

pulled me to her and stuck my nose

right between those huge

things to give me a very

long hug

 

now that I know  what she did for me

I would be willing to again endure

such a thing and hold my breath and smile