It Doesn't Seem Like Christmas

A bittersweet memory of Christmases past.

It Doesn't Seem Like Christmas

It doesn't seem like Christmas.
No aftershave, no ties.
No plaster casts of little hands.
No big surprised-filled eyes.

The snowmen made from paper plates
still hang upon the tree
but without the laughter of the kids
there is no wizardry.

No tracking Santa’s progress
by satellite from space.
No cookies and no carrots
sit beside the fireplace.

No staying up ‘til one a.m.
assembling a toy
like the doll house for my daughter
or the trail bike for my boy.

No bows and shredded wrappings
from presents on the floor.
No needles falling from the tree
as they search for more.

The kids are grown; they've moved on
to families of their own.
They've taken all the magic
along with the cheap cologne.

I think I’ll give the kids a call.
My wish is that they see
the magic that surrounds them -
that shines in my memory.

An entry for the December round of "Senior Center Forum" 
Must use the words Christmas and magic.