Christmas underwear

My mother always gave me underwear for Christmas. She did this until I was thirty-five years old, the year before she died. I think it was her way of reminding me that she was “mom,” no matter how old I was. She would give me other presents, too, but I could always count on some new Hanes briefs and V-neck t-shirts.

In 1986, I was asked to contribute a Christmas poem to the Azalea City News and Review, a fine weekly newspaper published in Mobile, Alabama, where I lived then. Of all Christmas poems, stories, books, songs, movies, dioramas, printed reminiscences and TV shows, I had never seen one that focused on underwear, so I decided to make my own mark in the holiday tribute genre with that topic.

My mother and step-father lived just across Mobile Bay in Montrose, Alabama when the poem was published. Mom was beside herself to be referenced in print and took the paper to the drug store, restaurants and the beauty shop to show her friends. I’m glad she liked it and I hope you will enjoy it, too. Remember, snow is not the only thing that can give you a White Christmas.

The poem as it appeared in the Azalea City News & Review, December, 1986

Christmas is Always White

It’s Christmas when I’m given

Many things I’d never buy

A drug store gift cologne set

A green and yellow tie

No matter how mundane the gifts

Impractical or bold

My mother always saves the day

With something I can fold

 

Mom always gives me underwear

It looks so nice and white

The new stuff always lasts me

All the way to New Year’s Night

Then I have to wash it all

And put it in a drawer

With all my other skivvies

Which were washed and worn before

 

 

But memories of opening

The box of virgin cloth

Last me many lonely moments

As the new wears off

So, Mom, I’d like to thank you

For making Christmas bright

You always give me underwear

And Christmas is always white

Text and photos copyright 1986, 2012 by Les Kerr. Visit Les Kerr’s web site at www.leskerr.com

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