ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A couple of years ago I was Christmas shopping when I came across a young mum with two beautiful children if her shopping trolly. The little girl was convinced I was Father Christmas,
due largely to a fairly luxuriant beard I had at the time.


IS THAT REALLY SANTA CLAUS

While looking at a market stall, down in the local shopping mall,
I cursed once more my tardiness, which was the cause of all my pain.
Again I’d left my shopping late, and this was surely tempting fate,
that saw me caught up in the crowded, frenzied, Christmas rush again.

I’d just returned home from the bush, with snowy whiskers on my moosh,
and must have been a scruffy sight for those who had the time to look.
There was the normal phony ring to Christmas carols that they sing,
and they were blaring all around until the building almost shook.

A gentle tug upon my gown, now made me turn and look around,
to see a pretty little girl with sparkling eyes and pale blond hair.
She held her brother by the arm, as though protecting him from harm.
I couldn’t help but smile at them, for they were such a handsome pair.

The girl then whispered to the boy; then came his golden smile of joy,
so happy and mischievous; I guessed my flowing beard the cause.
He snuggled to his sister then, as though afraid of hairy men,
and then I heard him ask his sibling, "is that really Santa Claus"?

******

© T.E. Piggott 18/12/2010

morning Terry,

And I bet it made your shopping trip worth all the hassle!

How lovely Terry - bet you felt chuffed about that. That is a happy story, really wonderful

Merry Christmas SC Your secret is safe

Cheers

Maureen

One of my kids did that too, a looong time ago. The whiskered man he mistook for Santa didn't seem as pleased as you obviously were.

Love the poem and applaud the bush/moosh rhyme.

Hi Zondrae,
You're right, I could have added a little more to the story.
As Mentioned they were both lovely little kids although the little boy looked a bit frail and had a feeding (I think) tube in his nose. The little girl was very protective of him and he obviously adored her.
The mother who was watching couldn't help but smile at his words, and yes I moved on with quite a spring in my step after that encounter.

Thanks Maureen,
As They say every cloud has a silver lining, and this certainly improved my day. Christmas is all about children isn't it.
I almost enjoyed the rest of my shopping.

Cheers Terry

G/day Leonie,
You snuck that one in while I was answering the last one. Having a beard at Christmas time can have it's rewards.
Don't we all just love little kids, unfortunately these days you have to be careful even smiling at kiddies in case in case you're mistaken for some sort of deviant.
But you're right, I reckon the smile on my dial, almost became permanent, the kids mum seemed to enjoy the encounter as well

Cheers Terry

What a great encounter!! Certainly, christmas is for the kids, and sounds like that little boy needed some christmas cheer also!!
Loved the poem.

Catchya
IRene

Thanks Irene,
I had been thinking I didn't have a Christmas poem, when I remembered this incident.
Later again I remembered I do have a type of Christmas poem that's set in Coober Pedy - it actually got a third in a comp once, I must post it one day.

I have received Two Anthologies in the past couple of days (two poems in one and one in the other) so despite my slackness in getting my booklets finished I can actually say I have something published.
I have got the basics sorted out as per your instructions and now only need to sort out the printing.

Cheers Terry