A Christmas Prayer Unanswered

Missing those that have passed

After all unwrapped and each unboxed
he sat amongst his toys,
no thought of santa, Christmas time,
oblivious to the noise,
of siblings playing, father's voice,
of carols being sung,
of cheery greetings offered up
each time the doorbell rung.
For as grateful as he was for all,
the gifts and Christmas fayre,
his eyes and thoughts were focused on
only mother's empty chair...

Reviews

[Lorry]

Well, that last line proves my eyes aren't made of glass. Perfectly written and stunned me into silence. (Yes, this is me being quiet)
I have a lump in my throat and obviously something in my eye. I need to leave the room and go cough manfully for a while.
All the sadder to know we are all that little boy.
I feel bad now for assuming by the title it was going to be about an ungrateful kid who only got one playstation from santa. My head is hung. Shame on me.

[Gee]

Tut, tut..
I guess when it comes to sons and mothers all men remain the small boy of yesteryear, seeking assurance, love and hoping to please.
Cheers Lorry

[Betty Hermelee]

A sad poem during Christmas time, when one is grieving, because one loses his mother, and there is nothing more saddening... no gifts no cheer will help him during this difficult time... even prayer cannot bring back a loved one, but if it is comforting then I say pray. ell done poem Gee.
Best, B.

[Gee]

Thanks Betty. This was my first Christmas without mum.

[Betty Hermelee]

so so sorry, but a beautiful write to her.

[Davidgeo]

About that list I was talking about...

[Gee]

Sometimes the words fall right :)

[Davidgeo]

Have I ever made you listen to me talk about a thing called Euler's Number?

[Gee]

You did many moons ago, I listened, didn't understand, have just googled and still understand not :))

[Davidgeo]

I don't fully grasp it myself. I'm not religious but.... if you figure that out it'll take you closer to god. (i'm an atheist but... some of this math is..... it'll reinforce your belief or.... it's not fair if I just tell you what it is)

[Davidgeo]

Most of these mathematicians, the fella's who came up with this s**t, are highly religious

[Davidgeo]

("were" i meant.... there all dead) But the logic gee...

[Davidgeo]

It's a strange thing how numbers play out

[barleygirl]

This is a beautifully honest, albeit a heart-wrenching scene you paint. This must've been written just before your first Christmas after losing your mum, so I give you (((HUGS))) about that. Now, all this time later, reading your poem after a year of covid slaughter, I'd have to guess about 3 million of my fellow Americans were feeling just like in your poem, during this Christmas that just passed, becuz of losing a close loved one to covid. We're almost to 400,000 dead from covid & every time I look at the numbers (daily), I imagine a scene like depicted in your poem, millions of people feeling this way, all over the world. It really depresses me. That's why I scrape the dirt trying to find something upbeat or funny to write about, otherwise I'd be right here buried in poignant words instead! I'm very thankful you've gotten thru the most intense passage of your mourning, becuz I love seeing you back to your peppy, peppery best as you come out with fun new poems! Happy 2021! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Gee]

Many empty chairs across the globe as you rightly say, and many more to come ;(
There is that small boy in every man methinks :))
Thank you Margie. Hope you are well

[Robert Trakofler]

Rest assured she will be sitting pon that chair dear Gee, and in the hearts of all that will sit in the room this christmas morning:) May you feel her warm heart embrace you dear friend and know that many here are thinking of you and wishing you the merriest of Christmases.

[Gee]

Merry Christmas Robert.
You're a good man and I thank you for all of your kind words over the last 8 months.
Have a great day :))

[Stella Armour]

Tugging at my heartstrings here Gee, two families where i live have lost a mother in the last year or so leaving young children ... your poem hits hime hard when you see them and think about what damage has been caused in their formative years by this sudden loss..

[Gee]

Thanks Stella. Guess I was lucky, had 57 years with mine( she passed in April)
Hope you have a good Christmas and the new year good to you :))

[Stella Armour]

Your first Christmas without her then, try not to be too sad my friend.... cherish all your lovely memories, and remember you can still talk to her you know.

[Gee]

A wee bit of sadness but she is pain free and at peace now :)
Thank you

[Stella Armour]

((( hugs))) xx

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Very poignant and creative writing my friend! Touches the heart on multiple levels; both sadly but also shares your sentimental reflection! Beautiful... :-)

[Gee]

Thank you Phil O, appreciate your kind words.
Hope you have a great Christmas

[emmajoy]

Whilst able to understand how you feel, Gee - i know your beautifully sad words hide a multitude of happy and wonderful memories, dear friend.

* Time helps a little. Only a little perhaps, but quite often the memories alter . Something happens in your present, and you suddenly smile.. remembering. If not, well - All About willing, it will. It will.

[Gee]

Hi EmmaJ, thank you. Yes, many happy memories, these now flooding back now that the pain of mum's passing is easing.
Ready for the big fat fellas visit ??

[emmajoy]

Same about our Josh, Gee.. so can understand.. Think of happy times cos your mum. dear lady would want that. xx

[Gee]

Thank you, and all the best with your 2nd Christmas without Josh to light the room up.
Take care

[Ramneet Kaur]

Very touching write. The expression of the void is soul-stirring.

[Gee]

Hi Ramneet, thank you for both reading and commenting.

[Ramneet Kaur]

My pleasure.

[AYVID N]

A mother makes every thing brighter and better indeed. Your words are very touching here.

[Gee]

Thank you Divya. At 57 years young this will be my first crimbo without mum :(
Seasons greetings to you, hope you and yours are well :)

[AYVID N]

It was my pleasure Gee. All good here. Your words made me think how blessed I am to have her around. Such a rock of support and love, they are... Merry Christmas to you and yours. She's surely with you in spirit.