For Old Time's Sake

The night before New Year’s and all through the house
I was playing a game of recall with my spouse.
With December departing on patters of rain,
we decided to travel down memory lane.

We began in the living room, close as could be
near the silver and white of the old Christmas tree.
And we recalled the Lionel Trains on the tracks
plus amazement in children fresh out of their sacks.

Then we stopped by the fireplace where it was true
that Sir Santa dropped by despite ashes and flue.
We both grinned as if Santa in spirit was near
with his sleigh on the roof and his team of reindeer.

Upon leaving the living room, there on the wall
appeared lines horizontal describing how tall
the kids were every year upon year as they grew:
lines remained on the narrow section of pass-through.

Well then passing on through to the kitchen we went,
and it seemed as if memories were Heaven sent
as we still could see Jackie and Johnny, all right,
by the comforting glow of the fluorescent light.

(How the time slips away in the holiday haste;
  and we recognize it is no trifle to waste.
  Oh the ticking relentless, a clock-steady beat;
  it remains as a foe that one just cannot beat.)

Thus through kitchen we passed unto sunroom extant
well in awe of the joy precious memories grant.
Down the lane in this game we would both take a walk;
funny then how some parts of the house seemed to talk.

Other rooms were spot on for a trip to the past;
(such reruns hold the key to beautiful cast.)
Whether basement or bedroom or even a nook,
we recalled what we saw, and were happy to look.

When she asked if I remembered, I would reply;
then when I asked she gave me a wink of an eye.
On the eve when those memories flooded our way,
our December had suddenly regressed to May.

In the game of remember with many things clear,
I was happy to have someone I loved so near.
And I knew that these memories, lifelike and fine,
remained For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp Winner
12-28-15
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Requirements:
Start with, “The night before New Year’s and all through the house...”
End with, “For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.”