In our family, I suspect like many others,
the night before Christmas Eve is Christmas Eve Eve,
but what about the night a month before?

By now I have compiled a list of all
the tasks, and services, and carol concerts
to be conducted within that month.

There are cards to write and gifts to find and pack,
a turkey, cake and pud to source and cook,
and house to tidy before the family come.

This wall of tasks stands seemingly impregnable,
demanding time and creativity,
an imposing rock face needing to be scaled.

It will be daunting, how can we do it again?
What can I find to say, when all’s been said
and done? The pressure builds and builds.

However, the reckless thrill of expectation
draws me on, the joyful promise of
a labour’s end, found in Messiah’s birth.

We might not have started Advent yet, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the countdown has begun…
(24.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Edi Bouazza on Unsplash