A Red Scarf, and a Memory

I see a red scarf on the due- frosted hoar,

A beacon, bright in the grey light of day.

A lighthouse guiding memories ashore

Decades removed from my thoughts today.

Vanilla flakes sparkle on frozen lawns,

And I taste the moments of yesteryear.

While sunlight glimmers in the breaking dawn,

My heart, it travels so far from here.

*

I find myself in my grandma’s kitchen,

My wee hands eagerly search for a snack.

Behind the monotone icy packaging,

in the old freezer, way in the back.

The prize I find for my hungry gaze,

Gleaming like rubies in crystalline robes,

Her strawberries, smothered in syrupy glaze,

My eyes sparkling, like tiny snow globes.

*

I reach for the ice cream, the base for my treat,

And hear grandma’s voice as she catches her breath.

You’ll ruin your supper, if now you do eat.

Close the freezer ‘fore we all catch our death.

I pout on the sofa, begging nan’s pardon,

Across from the window with multi-coloured lights.

I stare at the dogberry tree in the garden,

It’s frost-encrusted berries glistening bright.

*

The Christmas tree stands in the corner, all dressed,

With trinkets and ribbons, baubles, and bows.

Underneath, grandpa’s kitty, enjoying a rest,

She’ll be climbing the tree in due time, we suppose.

Grandma’s in the kitchen, near the old stove,

Preparing her cookies and cakes, for to bake.

The warm smell of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves

Wafts through the air as my senses awake.

*

There’s a tinkle of metal on glass, like a bell,

As grandma’s footsteps shuffle ‘cross the floor.

She comes with two bowls, and a warning not to tell;

Ice-cream before supper, with strawberries galore.

We sit on the sofa and soak up our sweets,

Enjoying her frozen strawberry glaze.

I’m not sure what’s better, the taste of the treat,

Or the mischievous grin on my grandma’s face

*

Decades have passed since my thoughts wandered ‘round

To that one precious moment in time.

Unearthed by the frosty red scarf on the lawn,

The vision, now etched in my mind.

For the love that was given, forever to last,

From grandma, always there for the taking.

And the treasured memories of a Christmas past,

My ten-year-old heart didn’t know we were making.