Here are the winners of our Christmas Poem contest, chosen by the staff of The Somerville Times. The winners will receive gift certificates four Mount Vernon restaurant in the amounts of: $100 for First Place; $75 for Second Place; and $50 for Third Place. Runners up will each $25 gift certificates. We thank everyone who participated and submitted their poems.

 

First Place winner:

The Holiday Spirit

By Francesca Zimmerman

 

As white little flakes fall down from the sky.

Excitement fills every boy and girls eyes.

Christmas is coming!

Let the holiday songs play.

It’s time to start decorating and count down the days.

 

The city workers come out to set up the tree;

For the Christmas Tree Lighting that fills people with glee.

All the kids gather with family and friends.

We put aside our differences and make our amends.

 

He’s coming! He’s coming! All the kids scream.

Santa arrives to fulfill every kids dream.

The whole city gathers and together we stand.

We light up the tree and in comes the band.

“Christmas means gifts”, some people may say.

Others say “family” is what they love on Christmas day.

Whether it’s gifts, family or food we all share the same thing.

The love of the holidays and the joy that it brings.

 

The parents make hot chocolate while the kids play in snow.

The family snuggles up while they watch Christmas shows.

Keep yourselves warm and don’t let the cold bite.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a goodnight.

 

Second Place winner:

Winter Hill

By Karl Thidemann, SHS ’78

 

Leafless trees along the street

Bootprints etched in frozen sleet

Mounds of snow, all soot encrusted

Salt corrosion, cars are rusted

School vacation, students cheer

Teachers psyched, parents despair

In the houses, candles burning

Lights aglow, hearts are yearning

Holiday joy now fills the air

Once again, that time of year

Things to do and food to cook

Gift card for best-selling book

Friends, libations, mistletoe

Yield happiness and ho-ho-ho

Keeping cold and dark at bay

Till springtime brings a warmer day

 

Third Place winner:

The Tree

By Mary Margaret Sawyer, age 9

 

All Christmas means to me

Is Jesus born and garland on a tree

The tree

Dark green full of life, children

Gleam with delight

They sing, jump for it is

Christmas night presents

Have been

Opened

And the advent read

This

Is

Christmas

To me!

 

First Runner-up:

Return of the Christmas Season

By Walter Ness

I know it’s finally Christmas,

for bells are ringing, voices are singing

of love and peace, goodwill toward all,

our hearts are filled with joy.

Smiles now start showing

where once there were but frowns,

because Santa Claus is coming to town.

I know he is for real, for me there is no doubt,

because come Christmas season

he uses my bank account.

He buys toys for all the children,

goodies for boy and girlfriends,

married folk, they love to talk

of the things that Santa brought them.

That jolly bearded fellow

has a good reason to laugh,

come every Christmas season

he spends my money well.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

must guide him to my vault,

how he manages to forge my name on checks

is something I’ll never know.

He’s such a jolly fellow,

and I would be one too,

if I could spend like crazy,

and someone else would pay for it all.

I know it’s finally Christmas,

for bells are ringing, voices are singing

of love and peace, goodwill toward all,

our hearts are filled with joy.

Smiles now start showing,

where once there were but frowns,

and money starts disappearing from my bank account.

 

Second Runner-up:

A Christmas Poem

By Ed Hallet

I Remember Christmas, The happy Time of year.

It came in late December and spread good will and cheer.

It was all about a Baby, born to love us all

But now to praise and honor him, you have a lot of gall.

People seem to forget, that one is not for all.

So let my Christmas be the same as it was when I was small

In those days it was okay to say Merry Christmas.

But now its Happy Holidays I wish I could dismiss it

But I’m really getting rattled by all these politicians.

Who have the backbone of a fish and cave to end traditions

So Merry Christmas to one and all, that’s all I want to say

And if you don’t celebrate Christmas have a Happy Day!