Mother’s prayer for xmas day
Lord, grant they all sit in peace in front of Dallas,
In harmony with Christmas carousel,
Muffle the sudden wit or caustic comment
that breaks the peace and raises merry hell,
I cannot cook and serve a Christmas dinner
and try to keep the peace as well.
Dear Lord, prevent the older generation
provoking confrontation, face to face,
like father going on about the Falklands
and mother on the theme of women’s place
and asking why a lot of silly women
are dancing on a US missile base.
Please grant the children keep off awkward subjects
like plastic bullets ‘stop and search’ or race
don’t let them call the police ‘the filth’ or argue
for legalising pot …or make a case
for women’s rights to instant free abortion
or for giving Sappho’s verses pride of place.
and for god’s sake lets keep Laurie Anderson down to 10 minutes at a time.
Dr Joan McDonald 1921-2019
Submitted by her daughter Harriet
FebulousFebruary 2025: Lost and Found 
Comments on: "day twelve" (3)
fantastic snapshot, great writing and humour, thank you Joan and Harriet, X
Love this. Very droll and can imagine my mother saying that stuff.
I really love this! You can feel the nervous tension build, the desperation that all the responsibilities of Christmas fall on mother, but you know her humour will keep her sane! Great!