Holiday Wishes & A Poem – Writing Through Life

As we travel together through the holidays towards the next year,

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May you have
Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks bedside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire

~ Celtic Blessing

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I would also like to share this poem, inspired by the ornaments hanging on my tree, with you.

Christmas Present

The past dangles from my tree
The ribbon of Time curling in reverse
While Memory holds my face
Between the desolate, bittersweet joy
Of her palms.

There—that shimmering silken globe
Yellowed and tattered with age, was
Ezra’s First Christmas. 1976.
It hangs low on the bough, with pictures of
Bunnies and bluebirds and baby rattles.

And here—the gingham vested gingerbread men
Except for them
No ornaments, adornments, or gifts that year
But one soft teddy surrenders
to a baby’s abusive love.

Over there—near the top,
that soft gray Santa rat,
The one Evan loved to hang each year
Sways by the tip of his jolly red hat
Tail between his legs.

And Jenny’s glass angel
Still hides a bell beneath her skirt.
Opalescent pearl skin
Eyes open to innocence
The dreams of a young girl.

There is the trillium—three felt flutists
Fashioned by a friend so long ago.
Handmade, embroidered ornaments,
Made dingy by time
Old by years.

And on the rocking horse—there
The porcelain bear,
Aidan’s First Christmas. 1994.
He rides in a flattened world,
Jolly Ho! onto this year and the next!

Thank you for being a part of my life and writing community. I wish each and every one of you a special holiday season, filled with friendship, love, peace, and hope.

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Image Credit: Denis Collette

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