The Last Candy Cane

The Last Candy Cane

The last candy cane,

On our Christmas tree,

As holidays wane,

It holds every key.

Of reverie keen,

From every grandchild,

To the manger scene,

The Christ child so mild.

As Christmas songs play,

I take down the star,

The lights on the way,

Unwinding thus far.

And ornaments sure,

Each one skillfully,

Protected and pure,

This done willfully.

The tree now removed,

We sweep where it trains,

It’s check and reproved,

For keeping remains.

Yet one could allow,

An occupant free,

A candy cane now,

Is hanging with glee.

It says to us all,

To everyone here,

Christmas will call

"A joyous new year!"

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 30, 2010