Christmas Biography

Five are one, loving each another
I was last of the Jolly children.
Cedar tree from the woods, I ‘member
my fifth Christmas in ’47.

Jovial times for the five of us
the mistletoe and snow uncommon.
We had our "holly Jolly Christmas"
before Burl Ives in ’57. 

Ten more years added two grandkids quick
when brother wed his sweetheart and friend.
Kids once more wait for jolly St. Nick
toy gifts to buy in ’67.

When next the decade finds me checking
I’m a wife, mother and aunt again.
This season three extras come decking
the Jolly halls ‘77.

We add a son. My oldest niece weds.
“Jolly” tables now serve six and ten.
Fourth generation - her two “great” kids
help Christmas rock in ’87.

Death takes its toll, both parents succumb.
Divorce claims two, four go to heaven.
New mates are found and babies still come
Christmas was rough in ’97.

No more gath’rings of Jolly’s in sync
but love still counts, I number the kin.
We’re up to thirty-three now I think
my sixty-fifth Christmas ’07.

written by Reason A. Poteet

author’s note:  My maiden name was Jolly and it provided

many an opportunity for puns and joking at Christmas time.

I’ve built this Christmas poem around decades of our small

family growing as we celebrate the holidays together.