'The Day After The Day After Boxing Day' by Paul Cookson


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On the day after the day after Boxing DaySanta wakes up, eventually,puts away his big red suit and wellies,lets Rudolph and the gang out into the meadowthen shaves his head and beard.He puts on his new new cool sunglasses,baggy blue Bermuda shorts (he's sick of red),yellow stripy T-shirt that doesn't quite cover his bellyand lets his toes breathe in flip-flops.Packing a bucket and spade,fifteen tubes of Factor Twenty suncreamand seventeen romantic novelshe fills his Walkman with the latest sounds,is glad to use a proper suitcase instead of the old sackand heads off into the Mediterranean sunriseenjoyng the comforts of a Boeing 747(although he passes on the free drinks).Six months later,relaxed, red and a little more than stubbly,he looks at his watch, adjusts his wide-brimmed sunhat,mops the sweat from his brow and strokes his chin,wondering why holidays always seem to go so quickly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Day After The Day After Boxing Day by Paul Cookson

If there’s anything that makes you feel more alive than poetry, I don’t know what it is. And when it comes to poetry that’s full of life, humor, and the warmth of human connection, The Day After The Day After Boxing Day by Paul Cookson is definitely one of those pieces.

In this 32-line poem, Cookson masterfully captures the essence of the day after the day after Boxing Day, which is the 28th of December. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of eight lines, with no regular rhyme scheme but an overall flow that makes it a joy to read.

The First Stanza

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, taking us right into the heart of the day after the day after Boxing Day:

The fridge is still full Of food that's not eaten The turkey's gone off And the sprouts have been beaten The house is still cluttered With Christmas debris And the kids are still asking "What's on the TV?"

Here, Cookson paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of Christmas Day. The fridge is still full of leftovers, but the novelty has worn off, and the turkey is starting to smell. The kids have lost interest in their new toys, and are now looking for something to keep them entertained. The clutter of wrapping paper and empty boxes is still visible, reminding us of the chaos and excitement of the day before.

The Second Stanza

In the second stanza, Cookson introduces a new element to the poem: the weather. The day after the day after Boxing Day is often a time when people start to feel a bit of cabin fever, and the weather can either exacerbate or alleviate that feeling. Here’s what Cookson has to say about it:

The weather's not great But at least it's not snowing The sales have started So we all get going The kids are outside With new bikes and skates While parents are nursing Their Christmas food aches

The weather may not be ideal, but at least it’s not snowing – which is always a plus. The sales have started, so people are starting to venture out of their homes and into the shops. The kids are outside playing with their new toys, while the adults are nursing their food-induced ailments.

The Third Stanza

In the third stanza, Cookson shifts the focus to the emotional side of the day after the day after Boxing Day. The excitement of Christmas Day is over, and people are starting to come back down to earth. Here’s what Cookson has to say about it:

The carol singers gone No more "Good King Wenceslas" Some people are happy And some are just brassed A few days to go Till it's New Year's Eve And we start all over And start to believe

The carol singers have gone home, and the incessant jingle of Christmas music is starting to fade away. Some people are still in high spirits, while others are feeling a bit deflated. But there’s still a few days to go until New Year’s Eve, and with that comes the promise of new beginnings and fresh starts.

The Fourth Stanza

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, tying up the themes of family, tradition, and the passing of time. Here’s how Cookson puts it:

The tree is still up With its twinkling lights The memories of Christmas Warm up the cold nights The day after the day after Boxing Day's here And we start to look forward To the next time next year

The Christmas tree is still up, providing a warm and comforting glow in the midst of the post-holiday blues. The memories of Christmas Day are still fresh in our minds, providing a sense of warmth and nostalgia. And even though the day after the day after Boxing Day is here and gone, we start to look forward to the next time next year – when we can do it all over again.

Interpretation

So what does it all mean? At its core, The Day After The Day After Boxing Day is a poem about the passage of time, tradition, and family. It captures the essence of the post-holiday blues that many of us experience, as we start to come back down to earth after the excitement of Christmas Day.

But it’s more than that. The poem is full of humor and warmth, reminding us that even in the midst of the chaos and mess of the post-holiday season, there’s still a sense of joy and connection to be found. It’s a poem that celebrates the human spirit and the resilience of the human heart.

In conclusion, The Day After The Day After Boxing Day is a true gem of a poem. It’s a joy to read, full of wit, charm, and warmth. And while it may be about the passing of time and the end of the holiday season, it’s ultimately a poem about the enduring power of family and tradition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Day After The Day After Boxing Day: A Poetic Masterpiece

Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of the post-Christmas blues? Look no further than Paul Cookson's "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day." This classic poem perfectly encapsulates the feeling of letdown that often follows the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season.

At its core, "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is a poem about disappointment. The speaker describes the bleakness of the day after Christmas, when all the presents have been opened and the festivities have come to an end. The poem begins with the lines, "The day after the day after Boxing Day / Is a day that's full of sorrow / When you think of all the fun you had / And you dread the day tomorrow."

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of emptiness and sadness. The speaker describes the "empty boxes and the wrapping paper" that litter the floor, and the "bare and empty fridge" that reminds us that the feasting is over. The poem also touches on the disappointment of receiving gifts that don't quite live up to our expectations, with lines like "The jumper that's too big / The socks that are too tight."

Despite its melancholy subject matter, "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is a joy to read. Cookson's use of rhyme and rhythm gives the poem a musical quality that makes it a pleasure to recite. The poem is written in quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme that gives it a sing-song quality. The rhythm of the poem is also very consistent, with each line containing eight syllables. This creates a sense of stability and order that contrasts with the chaos and disappointment described in the poem.

One of the most striking things about "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is the way it captures the universal experience of post-holiday letdown. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, everyone can relate to the feeling of disappointment that comes when a long-awaited event comes to an end. The poem speaks to the part of us that longs for the excitement and joy of the holiday season to last forever, even as we know that it cannot.

At the same time, "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is a very British poem. The references to Boxing Day and jumpers (British English for sweaters) give the poem a distinctly British flavor. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to explore the culture and traditions of the UK.

Overall, "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is a true poetic masterpiece. It captures the bittersweet feeling of the post-holiday season with a musicality and wit that is unmatched. Whether you're feeling down after Christmas or just looking for a great poem to read, "The Day After The Day After Boxing Day" is a must-read.

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