Who Will Carve This Christmas

Missing loved ones

The messages shorter, less sincere than in previous years,
with the black ink used reflecting his mood
as his pen dragged laboriously across snow white Christmas cards,
each glib, festive greeting sealed with kisses
from lips chapped by sorrows cold winds.
His favourite time of year now dreaded,
bad enough one empty chair at the table.

They'd not discussed who'd bless, carve,
it was as if not talking might somehow make it easier,
instead the opposite,
trepidation and a wishing the day over filled his heart,
a heart that longed for his childhood Christmas' of fun, laughter, love.
And then came tears, tears that fell sorely, unashamedly, freely,
as the last card read before not writing,

"To a very special father at Christmas time "

Author's Note

Written with Jacob in mind...

Reviews

[Effie]

One empty space at the table, one empty chair seems to vibrate with the energy of the one that should be there. Thank you for sharing your very well written words, a piece of your heart.

[Gee]

Thank you Effie

[Effie]

You're welcome!

[Wild Rose]

That is our Christmas > Family living miles apart - too far in the cold winter days and some too far to even think about going
Christmas cards not received - Have they forgotten; lost our address; Maybe having Christmas with the angels
Our card list is getting smaller
We go for shopping the week before; the small joint of meat on Christmas Eve. Close the door In the morning feed the birds, they are always ready for food and never let us down

[Gee]

Thank you Rose, appreciate you taking the time to read and comment

[θεά]

Very emotional piece Gee- without excesses of melodrama. Christmas can be a time of recollection and reconnection. Pity for some it also is a painful time. Well written.

[Gee]

Thank you Mallika

[Glen's not so clean sla..]

“The black ink used reflecting his mood”. This line is powerful. It never gets easier. Never did for me anyway. Thanks for sharing this

[Gee]

Cheers Glen, appreciate the review

[Donna]

That is very touching. I lost my father 3 years ago on December 16th. Christmas is still very hard for me, it will never be the same. Nice writing!

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Lydia Shutter]

The year of firsts after the death of a loved one is the most difficult. It never really gets easy, but the sharp pain and the feeling of emptiness does fade just a bit. My thoughts are with you, my friend. The emotions expressed here are relatable and very honest. Lydi**

[Gee]

Oops, how very rude of me not to thank you for both reading and commenting. Sorry:)

[Lydia Shutter]

Not a problem, Gee. Be well. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Gee... a very touching poem encompassing the loss of a father.
A classic expression of the sentiments at Christmas time. Love the tone and melody of your poetry. truly, Pat

[Gee]

Thank you Patricia. Hope you are enjoying Christmas

[Patricia Wedel]

Gee... Wishing you and yours a blessed and prosperous New Year 2018... Pat

[Davidgeo]

The holidays make remembrance of the dead a real b***h sometimes. I understand what this is about, and though I find the person who's loss this is about to be kind of a d********g faux community college intellectual, he truly does have my support and sympathy. He's a good man, a better man than me. I'm just an a*****e who occasionally understands how petty and meaningless everything else is in the face of things like this... which is worth far less than being like that every minute of every day.

[Gee]

Thing is you call it as you see it in your own inimitable, often rude, way. Many others would probably wish they had the balls to say what you do it they put being liked above this longing. Thanks for taking the time to comment and if it doesn't offend you I hope you and yours are enjoying Christmas and the new year is good to you all. Cheers

[Gee]

...but they put being liked above this longing

[Davidgeo]

Anyone who gets offended at holiday wishes is probably confused about what being offended really means. Apologies for being rude... but I will do it again. It's not testicular fortitude that allows me to have this disposition. I grew up wrong, was poorly socialized and then I joined the military. I would trade this temperament for something else in a heartbeat if I could. Merry Christmas to you too.. (even though it's not Christmas anymore).

[Davidgeo]

Why did you delete your response? There is never any need for that.

[Gee]

Good Morning, God only knows. I must have posted something shite or inappropriate.

[wordman]

a beautiful tribute my friend,merry christmas

[Gee]

Thank you. Written with Jacob in mind as he lost his father earlier this year