The Poetry of RC Arquette


            


            CHRISTMAS STAR

            
Dinner had been exceptionally tasty

            And I'd eaten heartily my fill

            But the room had become stuffy

            It was uncomfortable to sit still

            So I got up from the table

            As the girls cleared away the last

            Of the Brunswick stew and French bread

            Balancing plates as they shuffled past



            Making quick work of the dishes

            And a dozen dirty pots and pans

            They talked of cookies and recipes

            And their remedies for dishpan hands

            The others limped from the table

            Lounging transfixed by the TV

            I made my way to the front door

            To enjoy some quiet time with me



            But half way through my escape

            A pair of hands reached up to me

            Demanding my immediate attention

            Making sure that they were seen

            With a tiny squeal that bubbles

            From somewhere deep within

            He looked at me with twinkling eyes

            And that special baby boy grin



            Smiling I bent and scooped him up

            And together we both moved outside

            The front door quietly closing behind us

            As we stepped into the frosty night

            The air was cool and clear

            The stars loomed big and bright

            And our breath hung like puffy clouds

            In the glow from the window's light



            Christmas lights danced with a rhythm

            At each house up and down the street

            Their multi-colored bulbs flashing

            To some drummers silent beat

            The night closed round about us

            It's stillness filled my ears

            The distant sound of city traffic

            And crickets were all that I could hear



            Dustin pushed out his little hand

            With one finger pointing to the stars

            "Dat," he said as he swept the sky

            Brushing over Jupiter and Mars

            And "Dat," he said while pointing

            At the winking colored Christmas lights

            His eyes staring wide at the electric show

            That filled the wintry night



            He pointed at the light hung round the window

            And to the holiday wreath upon the door

            And he said, "Dat," gazing in at the Christmas tree

            And the presents all around it on the floor

            I marveled that in just a couple short weeks

            This special gift of mischief and mirth

            Our precious little boy will be a year old

            And we will joyfully celebrate his birth



            A year ago, we awaited his arrival

            And Christmas was just another holiday

            Peggy was swollen and tired with her load

            And counted off each passing day

            I cannot remember life without him

            I know we managed somehow to survive

            But so quickly, he has become the focus

            For everything done within our lives



            His finger points to each pinpoint

            As he stretches for the darkened sky

            Tiny jewels glowing brightly in reflection

            In Dustin's enquiring big blue eyes

            In the night air, he is warm against me

            As I hold him sheltered at my side

            A quiet moment for my son and I

            That fills me up with joy and pride



            Somewhere in the distance carolers sing

            And the muffled sound of laughter echoes

            My boy joins in humming soft and low

            Pat-a-cake clapping with a pink nose

            I laugh and say, "What a good boy,"

            As he continues to clap and sing along

            Watching the enjoyment on his face

            Wishing that the moment could go on and on



            His little head suddenly spins around

            And he stares up at me and grins

            A great big smile from ear to ear

            That melts my heart again

            While laughing little happy giggles

            He hides his fuzzy head on my chest

            And I decide that of all my Christmas'

            This one is undoubtedly the best



            Peace on Earth

            and joyful hearts…



            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            R. C. Arquette 

            December 14, 1988

            
Author's Note: Written just after my son was born...

            he'll be 20 the end of December; my how time does fly!...



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