What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?
All the men went down the pub
They’d leave the women cooking
All the men gone to the pub
With cheery smiling faces
They’d be getting in the drinks
And leave the women cooking
In the kitchen, left at home cooking Christmas dinner.
Now the Turkey’s nearly done
The bird and all its trimmings.
Have to turn the oven down
Don’t want dinner spoiling
All the men still up the pub
No sign they’re returning.
All the women stressing out
The kids are just excited.
Eventually the men roll in
And dinner can get started
Not till dad has carved the bird
A man’s role so important.
Pull the crackers, Christmas hats
And push on with the party
Stuff ourselves till we’re so full
We’re at the point of bursting.
Children help with clearing up
Goodness so much washing!
Maybe men will help wash up
Perhaps a little guilty
But they’ll soon be dozing off
Beer has made them sleepy.
This is how the thing once was
Different time and history
I wouldn’t like to risk it now
Would be kind of chancey!
Dinner would be in the bin
She’d probably divorce me!
Andrew Green's Poems 