A friend recently sent me a photo that was a throwback to 2004… the year my poetry was first published in an anthology. She had asked me for a signed copy and I’d sent her one.
Mistletoe Madness, published by Blooming Tree Press, was chock full of poems and stories for young readers about Christmas. My poem, “Christmas Eve Wishes,” was included in the anthology alongside the work of so many other writers and illustrators, including Linda Joy Singleton, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, and Agy Wilson.

Do you ever want to get out an editing pen, even after your work has been published? That’s been the case almost every time my poetry appears in any collection or anthology, and this one is no exception. Still, I love it because it was the first.
Christmas Eve Wishes
by Mary E. Cronin
Our gifts are stacked and laced
With ribbons curling bright
For every child who’s yearning
I wish a gift tonight.
Our dinner plates sparkle
On the tablecloth white
I wish all hungry families
Will have a feast tonight.
As carols play softly
Our Christmas tree’s alight
I wish a peaceful evening
For the whole wide world tonight.
***
I love being a part of Poetry Friday, a weekly celebration of children’s poetry. Painter, poet, and illustrator Michelle Kogan is hosting the Roundup of Poetry Friday posts today at her blog, which features a beautiful poem, “Stardust.”
Wishing all in the Poetry Friday community the happiest of holidays, even as it may be a quieter Christmas than usual.
This is a lovely poem! And to answer your question about wanting to edit your work once it’s already in print, yes! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Ruth! Glad to know I’m not the only one!
Yes, there was one poem that was published on-line that I want to disown! But I’ve mellowed about it since. I think your poem is lovely and I can imagine the joy in reading it aloud. Merry Christmas, Mary! So glad you’re on Poetry Friday.
Thank you, Janice– and thanks for encouraging me into this creative community!
Even though you may want to make changes, I love that it fits beautifully for our time this year, Mary! Sometimes I want to make changes, or see a glitch I missed. We’re always thinking, right? Happy Friday & have a lovely week ahead, too!
Thank you so much, Linda! It’s true… that editorial voice is always there, ready to chime in.
It is a very sweet poem, I’m sure full of memories. A treasure. Enjoy your snow! A white Christmas seems right and good.
Thank you, Linda!
An interesting point you have raised regarding scanning our previous poems with a critical eye Mary. I find myself admitting the same. I think we see our words as pliable rather than set in concrete. I have found myself wishing I could change even a single word just to tidy things up a little. I enjoyed your poem and noted the repetition of the word tonight at the end of each stanza. and the rhyming pattern.
Thanks for your comment and for reading my poem, Alan. I remember a story someone told me from years ago, of going to see a famous author read his work. Just before the reading, the author was off to the side (wish I would remember who it was), with a pen, marking up the book and crossing out a few words before the reading. Still editing the work!
Sometimes we need some uplifting poetry and your poem does exactly that, and more. And yes, I can always find things to change in a poem. I enjoyed visiting the rest of your blog site and reading about your childhood, lots of food for thought there… Thanks Mary!
Thank you so much, Michelle. I look forward to learning more about you and your beautiful work!
Sometimes I remember a poet I heard about who would go into Barnes and Noble and make edits in their books. I get it. Thanks for sharing your sweet poem with us. Yes to peace and being well-fed and gifts. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Tabatha!
Lovely poem, extra special because it was your first published in an anthology! I echo all the others who say they feel compelled to make edits even after something is in print. A writer’s work is never done. 🙂 Happy Christmas!!
Thank you so much, Jama! Happy holidays to you too!
Mary, being an editor of my local language arts association, I always edit my work many times for good measure. I enjoyed your poem with its three wishes. Mistletoe Madness sounds like a book that children would gravitate towards.
Thank you! I appreciate that.