Tom Sheehan of Saugus

of Saugus, MA writes:

Follows here a revision of my Christmas poem to all who have passed through Saugus:

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LILY POND

When each tree is snowed upon each limb, when children lie sleeping waiting him, when Lily Pond provides quick owl’s hoot and snow is crunching beneath my boot,

know I walk here and think now of you who sometimes or not knew this view; who by this pond and this water wide may have walked here along its side;

who one summer may have early cast for bass or pickerel that quickly passed, or shore-wide winds of December ilk dared touch your cheek with dash of silk;

or when plush leaves oft were turned to gold as pure-flung autumn engaged its hold. Be sure all seasons of your younger grace walk beside me in this most silent place,

know I think, while Christmas spreads from angel’s top to children’s beds, of all my friends whom I correspond and wish visitation beside this pond.

Come to Lily Pond again, to Saugus town where Christmas once was tender known, where we’ll gather in childhood memories this pond’s air and smell and winter breeze,

where all our younger lives were spent about the shores where skaters went, and on slicker ice we slickered flew fair to the Turnpike and out of view.

Welcome Christmas back as it was then, fair songs we sang, the friends we’ve been, good wishes springing now full on air… for you all the hopes the heart can bear.

Merry Christmas.

Tom