Helen Marsh Flittner East Peoria, Illinois

We have a "Poetry Group" (with an ICC Prof) which meets twice a month. Michael Slaughter is very good and he likes working with his "oldster class". My book is filling up. My eyes have been a problem. A membrane dropped in behind the implant so now we will have a laser treatment to dissolve that, then a field test before prescribing new glasses. Then comes the dentist! So, I do get around trying to be healthy.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, what wondrous magic dost Thou hold for me? Is it anything like the years that used to be, that live on in my memory? Do your branches hide a lump of coal 'cause I don't deserve any better? I remember I didn't give a good behavior report in my last Santa Claus letter! Do the strings of shiny tinsel represent the silver tracks of a very much wanted electric train? Or the glittering bindings of an encyclopedia to sharpen the actions of my "fertile" brain? Do the flashing lights announce the arrival of a life- like baby doll, With big blue eyes and curly blonde hair, like the one in our shopping mall? Does the jack-in-the-box pop out of the folds of a pair of red long johns? Do the overstuffed, big socks hide a warm, furry muff or a box of yummy bonbons? No matter what the mystery is it's always fun to remember, The excitement, the aromas, the conniving all through the month of December. The angels sounding their trumpets, playing carols loud and clear. And everybody wishing everybody PEACE, HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BOUNTIFUL NEW YEAR

All poems Copyright © 1997 Helen Marsh Flittner. All rights reserved.