Man At Peace.

The Christmas tree shone brightening up the room
Decorations hung in splendour
Gifts lay beneath the tree
He was sat in his favourite armchair
A man at peace with the world
He would watch the children run down the stairs
The room would come alive as they opened their presents
A special present for the good lady
The noise drifted into the past
A long time ago
Seemed like yesterday
The accident
The Policewoman crying telling him the news
The day he died inside
Seventeen years now
Always the same ritual
Made the day seem right, special
Memories came flooding back
He sat down to rest
Slowly drifting off to sleep
They found him that way
In his favourite armchair
A man at peace with the world.

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

It does seem like yesterday that we were busy making Christmas wonderful for everyone around us , and then we play it out again when the grandchildren come on Christmas morning.
In this day and age it is so very sad that parents are often not included in family celebrations and so many old and vulnerable people only have memories and nothing to look forward to after a lifetime of caring .... as John has said sometimes death is peace

[Paul Bell]

Whatever happened to Christmas. Easter eggs on sale now. No wonder the years fly by.

[Stella Armour]

My son keeps telling me that things can't stay the same forever, times change and we have we have to move on. What a sad attitude, but what can i say ? He is a good son .

[Paul Bell]

Only memories go back in time, sadly.

[Coyote Poetry]

Christmas can make us remember the good or the bad days. Lonely life when alone without something missed. A sad tale written my friend. Sometime, death is peace.
Coyote

[Paul Bell]

In this case, death is right.

[barleygirl]

Your Christmas anecdote reminds me of some statistic I once heard about how the holidays is a time when most people drop dead of a heart attack from overeating combined with emotional interactions. Your poem puts a face on that statistic. The first half has a bit of a "smug" tone (not in a bad way) as if the scene cannot be spoiled, it's so perfect. Then (as you usually do) in comes the spoiler. All so honest & true-to-life . . . love the ending! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Paul Bell]

You were getting to happy. lol

[The Iron Horseman]

So very, very sad, Paul. Heart-wrenching, in fact. Incredibly well done. So emotive and rich in imagery. Compassionate too.
The world is looking pretty bleak right now. Ouch.

[Paul Bell]

Nothing that alcohol won't cure.

[The Iron Horseman]

True. A nice bit of Christmas cheer will do the job.
Merry Christmas, Paul. Cheers!

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Paul, we cling on to the memories for as long as we can. I hate the thought of forgetting that in itself makes me tearful. The quiet resignation and calm of this depicts the sorrow beneath the surface. Sad but beautiful read x

[Paul Bell]

Strange time Christmas.
Every emotion come through.

[Mrudula Rani]

Only for a while one can live off memories... after that heartaches for the real thing gives away and joins the recollections.... then peace follows! A picture of sorrow and the final relief, your poem depicts!

[Paul Bell]

Christmas I suppose should be joy.
But shear pain for others.

[Mrudula Rani]

The best way to beat the blues is to find a reason to celebrate... a pet ( or two) helps a lot. When a whole lot of people are trying to please others, the least we can do is admire their efforts!!!

[Paul Bell]

Defintely, why I delegate everything. lol

[Mrudula Rani]

....And you make sure to have a very good time and spread the joy. That is the only way to spend the holidays.

[Paul Bell]

You too. Don't spare the horses. How is hot snow.

[Mrudula Rani]

...,Just hot no snow! Believe it? Today it rained a little!

[Paul Bell]

Cool you down.