Poems (Kennedy)/Evolution of The Stocking
EVOLUTION OF THE STOCKING
TIME was when the Christmas stocking Was knit from the homespun yarn,With here and there a picked-up stitch, And here and there a darn.And the things that went in the stocking In that beautiful long-ageWere mother's cookies and doughnuts— And a dime far down in the toe!
In time the stocking was cotton Straight from the factory's loom,And 'twas long and lank and hungry As it hung in the Christmas gloom.But Santa plumped it with presents, Coming far from the land of snow,Store candy and wonderful goodies— And a quarter down in the toe!
But now the stocking is silken, Flimsy and soft and svelt,Too dainty for clumsy gew-gaws Or home-made compliment. It hangs by the mistletoed mantel 'Mid the holly's scarlet glowBrimming with costly tokens— And a big check down in the toe!