A few years ago I wrote this poem about Christmas time on Gwynn's Island, enjoy.
Gwynn’s Island Christmas
by
Renee' Callis
T’was the night before Christmas
In Gwynn’s Island Town
Not a creature was stirring no one was around
Mr. Tweetie had locked up his store
Tight as a tick
And everyone was looking
For ole Saint Nick
Florence had handed out
The last Christmas card
Connie and Jackie had
Rain Deer in their yard
Scrooch and Rodney had
Turned off the light
And Virginia was home
Ready to turn in for the night
Jr. and Elwood had
Secured the dock
Won’t be any more fishing
No more catching Rock
Aunt Ethel had just finished
Her chocolate cake
Aunt Minnie was through
Her fruitcake bake
Uncle Piggy had finished
Mending his crab pots
And Uncle Willis was visiting
People others had forgot
Mama had baked her
Cookies with cherries
And made her muffins
Full of blueberries
Daddy had refused
To do any shopping
But, boy he knew
How to keep us all hopping
Aunt Hazel had fed
Everyone at four
Dean, Lillie, Annie and Willis, Jr were looking out the door
Waiting to run and find someone to tell
If they heard the sound of a faint little bell
The jingle of bells
On Santa’s sleigh
Would mean he’s
On his way
If we were good we didn’t worry
Santa would be
Here in a hurry
Just about seven
Bunk, Dee and Thel
Would come by for a visit
Those times were sure swell
Marlene and I dreamed of presents
As we lay in our bed
Our room was so cold
We had to cover our head
Then we’d all wake up
On Christmas Day
Visit our presents then go to church to pray
To hear Miss Tootie give thanks for this day
Listen to Mr. Broughman tell the story right
And hear Thelma
Sing “Oh Holy Night”
Get a hug from Miss Myrtle
Miss Lottie and Miss Ruth
Hear the Christmas Story
Learn the Bible truth
Dee, Marsha Leigh and I
Would go on stage and sing
Silver Bells through the church ceiling would ring
Later on that afternoon another voice would appear
Aunt Teenie had come in from Newport News
Having her there was ever so dear
Mama, Mildred, and Teenie would gather
Us around the piano
And we all sang Christmas carols Minnie and Mama sang soprano, Teenie, alto
Wish you could have been there
It was a magical place
And I still can remember
Every smile, every face
All the Christmas’s
In ole Gwynn’s Island Town
Were the best celebrations
I have ever found
So if you are ever
In our part of the world
Stop by, take some time,
To give our Gwynn’s Island Christmas a whirl
