Christmas in a Glesga Flat

ah'm no fir the forced familial festivities

an' crazy coercive controlled consumerism

that this hallowed time ae year brings

ah'm no one fir Christmas—tho'

ah do remember a time, tho',

when ah celebrated the season ae goodwill,

when December an' Christmas wis full,

ae love an' laughter—joy an' joviality

gathering at mah Grannies' hoose

Nonna, tae me, mah siblings an' cousins

Mamma, tae hur wains

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when the warmth helped soothe

oor war wounds from

the ever-changing beyond hur doar

hur Glasgow tenement flat

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a vibrant variety

ae delicious diversity

a cultural melting pot

ae pasta, potato

roast chicken, cheese an' Christmas

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touches ae affection, hugs galore

double cheek kisses—one-two Italian

sights ae the plentiful spread

oan the table an' the smiles roon it

sounds ae sharing time together

crackers crackle, tinsel sparkle

smells ae strong coffee brewing

boxes ae wine, tomato sugo

tastes ae rural Italy

in a Glesga Suburb

#

ae the marriage

ae history—heritage

those days ar gone—unrepeatable

but forever locked safely

in a special place in mah mind an' heart

incorruptible by the powers an' effects ae time

nostalgia though 'hings may be,

or jus' strong an' emotive—the memory

takes me back tae a time an' place

when ah truly felt content an' safe.

*

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: In comparison to my other entry, this is a more straightforward and upbeat take on the Holiday Reflections in Verse Challenge, inspired by my memories of Christmas as my Nonnas, when I did celebrate. I thought it would sound nice with a slight Glaswegian accent to it all.

Here are some other things: