The Star Can Wait

You found it in the biscuit tin Under hooks and bits of string That paper star we paid a pound for Our first Christmas in the spring-green room It was bigger than the branches So we hung it from a nail You stood back with your hands on your hips Said, "That'll do us very well"

Three trees later, here we are Still making room for that same star

The star can wait Come close to me Let the coloured lights go shining On our half-dressed Christmas tree Put your hand against my collar Let the last job wait till later The star can wait, my love Rest your forehead here on mine The rest of Christmas happens In its own good time

There's a crease across the silver Where it folded in the move You smooth it with your thumbnail Then you hold it to the light I remember you that evening With the scissors on your knee Cutting snowflakes from the free paper So the room would look like Christmas Eve

I was looking at the window You were making us a home

The star can wait Come close to me Let the coloured lights go shining On our half-dressed Christmas tree Put your hand against my collar Let the last job wait till later The star can wait, my love Rest your forehead here on mine The rest of Christmas happens In its own good time

You say, "It's getting late now" I say, "Yes, I know it is" Then you set the star beside us And you give me that first kiss There's the woman from the little room With silver on her sleeve Still here, still my favourite part Of every Christmas Eve

The star can wait Stay here with me Let the coloured lights go shining On our half-dressed Christmas tree We can reach the highest branches When we've had a little while The star can wait, my love Let me look at that smile

We'll hang it when we're ready The star can wait