Can You Keep A Secret?

Every year

Every blessed year

since he walked into my life

 at the worldly age of 18

when I really didn't need or want another father figure

to replace the one who died 

Or so I thought

He gave me chocolates

 

 

Ferrero Rocher to be precise

In the little clear plastic box

 

They were proudly selected and wrapped by him

and placed in my Christmas stocking

every year, without fail

And there were many years

 

Countless thousands

of milk chocolate and hazelnut enrobed confections later

(and many years after his death)

I still receive a box or two from well meaning souls

who carry on this tradition in his absence

 

 Until the day I die, I will never let on...

 

 

I hate those damn things and always have

I Just never had the heart to break his 

I will choke them down with the tears

 

Overly sweet chocolate

 rendered bittersweet

with good intentions

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

Ah this poem of doing the right things is so bittersweet. Unlike the chocolates. Very moving.

[Chris Shaw]

Brought a lump to my throat you did with this one Starbaby. Definitely a bitter /sweet write. What a lovely thoughtful man. Now I love Ferrero Rocher, so just wing them in my direction and I promise you, I will do them justice:)

Chris

[Lorry]

What a beautiful and bittersweet memory to share with us all Starbsby, thank you for that.
I shall never look at another one in the same light again, but I shall keep on munching them when I get the chance, but will now have this tale in my mind when I do.
And isn't that the true spirit of gifts? To be thankful for them and put them to use like they were intended?
And I just thought, if you remove the word Christmas, before the word stocking, this would still truly be a Christmas tale without even mentioning the word Christmas!
Beautifully told and I bet, still a memory so cherished.

[Kaylor Mason]

I have had family like this too. You have a relation that you love and you don't have the heart to tell them that you hate the Christmas sweaters they get you, stuff like that. I can relate. I can also relate to your taste--I was never allowed to have candy when I was growing up, and consequently I never developed a taste for chocolate. Even today, it tastes nauseating. The closest I can come to liking candy of any sort is a vanilla cone from Dairy Queen.