‘Round My Christmas Tree

Below is a new favorite poem that sums up for children and adults alike, all that is wonderful about Christmas in the Caribbean.

IT’S CHRISTMAS DAY
By Roland L. Gayle, Jamaica

I just woke up and it’s Christmas Day
Christ is born, Hip, Hip Hooray!
Today I’ll eat and eat a lot,
But first I’ll see what gifts I got!
Brand new shoes from Grandma P
A ball and a truck, all for me!
And wait there’s even something more
The cricket bat I’ve been asking for!
Now for breakfast with hot, hot tea,
Plantain, pear, saltfish, and ackee
We have yummy bread and callaloo
And golden fried breadfruit too!
Now breakfast is done I get to play
With all my friends on Christmas Day
We’ll share our toys and laugh and run
Celebrating the birth of God’s own Son!
It’s evening time and relatives dear
Have come from far and even near
To share and greet and offer love,
Hosannah! To our God above!
A sip of sorrel, and it’s time to nyam!
Boy oh boy it’s Grace picnic ham!
Potato salad, gungo rice and peas,
Yay it’s Christmas…some more cake please?

This lovely Caribbean Christmas poem is from a recently published anthology titled: Round My Christmas Tree. It includes: 27 stories, poems, recipes, and artwork — all with a Caribbean theme that range from the sacred to irreverent and from heart-warming to just down-right funny. And in addition to Roland L. Gayle who hails from Jamaica, the book features 24 other Caribbean artists including seasoned authors such as Joanne C. Hillhouse of Antigua and Barbuda and newcomers such as Jamie Gangoo from Trinidad and Tobago. Edited by Carol Mitchell of CaribbeanReads, the beautiful cover is illustration art by Sayada Ramdial.