Christmas, Then and Now by walking shadow poetry.

I remember when Christmas felt like magic,
When the air itself seemed to hum with joy,
The streets dressed in sparkling lights,
And carolers sang songs we all knew by heart.

Those days, the world seemed to pause,
Shops filled with laughter, not just noise,
Neighbors exchanging gifts and smiles,
A season of giving, not just spending.

We’d gather as a family, all of us there,
No excuses, no delays just love in the air.
Grandma’s kitchen bursting with smells,
Of roasted chicken, chapati, and stories she’d tell.

The tree would stand tall, ornaments aglow,
Underneath, gifts wrapped in dreams and hope.
But it wasn’t the presents that mattered most
It was the warmth of togetherness, the love we’d toast.

Now, it feels… different.
Christmas seems hurried, a checklist to tick,
Lights still glitter, but something feels dim,
Like the heart of the season has worn thin.

Families scattered, too busy to call,
Reunions postponed, or not planned at all.
The kitchen is quieter; the stories have faded,
And the joy we shared feels overstated.

I miss those days, the simplicity, the care,
When Christmas meant more than what we’d wear.
When time with loved ones was the greatest gift,
Not a message sent in a WhatsApp shift.

Oh, how I long for those Christmas eves,
The warmth of the fire at night during the eves.
When we sang, laughed, and stayed up late,
Sharing moments time could never replicate.

This year, I’ll try to bring it all back
The laughter, the love, the familial track.
Because Christmas isn’t about what’s new,
It’s about the people who make it true.