Poetry Friday- Christmas Eve Wishes

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.

Mistletoe Madness, from Blooming Tree Press (2004)

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.

18 comments

  1. haitiruth says:

    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

  2. janicescully says:

    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.

  3. lindabaie says:

    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!

  4. Mitchell Linda says:

    It is a very sweet poem, I’m sure full of memories. A treasure. Enjoy your snow! A white Christmas seems right and good.

  5. 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!

  6. 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!

  7. Tabatha says:

    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!

  8. jama says:

    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!!

  9. cvarsalona says:

    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.

Leave a Reply to TabathaCancel reply