© Joan Currie – My Santa cross stitch.

Christmas Comes Early
by Joan Currie


Today I saw a man
on Main Street
wearing a Santa hat.


Shoppers burst from craft stores,
arms laden with garlands,
baubles and greeting cards.


Men on ladders
pulled down Hallowe'en lights
and str
ung up red and green ones.

And Thanksgiving?
A few chipped pumpk
ins
and porcelain gobblers
on the sale shelf.


Has November been swept aside
for a few extra weeks
of Christmas cheer?


I hurried home,
brought down the tree
and handmade ornaments
from the attic.


Swapped the spooky bunting
for
a tartan-bowed wreath,
played The Nutcracker
and began trimming the tree.


Why not?