Christmas 1918, haphazard celebrations,

Newspaper party hats, ragged old tree

Festooned with baubles, tinsel, bells, trinkets.

Looks of relief, joy, bemusement, exhaustion -

Bowler hatted City gents, well-to-do-ladies,

Middle-class suited and booted managers

Mixing with office juniors; pub landlady

Raising a pint glass. Cigarette and pipe

Smoke filling the smoggy London air.

In contrast, subdued scenes at parish church

Hall, thick overcoats and scarves repelling

The winter chill. Sermon delivered to a mixed

Reception of polite anticipation and blank

Indifference, from the ageing, stern congregation.

Hope for the future mixed with sadness at the

Sacrifice of war and uncertainty of peace.