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

[D Connolly]

Incredibly sad, and touching. The lucky ones will experience this sorrow, which only comes from losing a loved one held so dearly. The unlucky won't ever know the difference- they've never known this love

[Gee]

Indeed. The down side to loving so deeply is the heartbreak that comes with losing. I just hope I pop my clogs before my wide, selfish I know but couldn't imagine living without her.
Haven't seen you here much lately, hope all is well in your life and you have a great festive.

[D Connolly]

Thank-you. I'm getting back to work. The ideas are starting to boil over

[Norbanus]

Readers won't have to look far into this verse to identify with the sadness. We've all had to reflect on the empty chair at one time of another.

Nicely done.

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Samuel Dickens]

Oh, this is sad. Like Annette, there are so many empty chairs at our holiday table. Your words are strong and moving.

[Gee]

Thank you, written with Jacobs loss earlier this year in mind.....luckily he approves

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Bad enough one empty chair at the table”- so many empty chairs - too many to count now. You summon them all to my mind and heart with your undeniable words, Gee. The love around us is our reality- the only reality of our existence, to be treasured in the short sweet moment that it exists. Great write.

[Gee]

Thank you Annette

[Avia]

This just moved me. We should hold the loved ones we still have very close, especially during holidays like this. Very emotional piece.

[Gee]

Thank you for commenting Avia

[Tiana]

Deeply moving, Gee. I can relate to this heartfelt write. Wonderfully written. Take care.

[Gee]

Thank you Tiana

[Pete]

a sorrowful tribute. the holidays and times of family gathering brings us face-to-face with the reality of loss. in the spirit of Christmas, let's hold onto life as we have it and greet such days with courage & hope while we cling to the memories and spirits of those who have passed ...

[Gee]

Cheers Pete

[Paul Bell]

Was at a funeral today.
Was thinking the same.
Christmas could easily be cancelled some years.

[Gee]

Indeed, we sometimes lose ourselves up our own arses and cannot see the important stuff going on. Hope all is ok with you. Cheers

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, i surely relate to this...first Holiday season without my dad...
although he stopped carving many years ago---he was almost 98...lots of Christmases lots of carving in his time.
j.

[Gee]

Hi Jacob, if you’d care to read my reply to Johns review you will find that you and your father are the reason for this piece of writing being posted. I hope knowing this doesn’t anyway cheapen the way that you view this.
Thank you and my thoughts are with you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i appreciate the piece, very much.

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Karen Redburn]

Oh my gosh, I was feeling this way this morning with the passing of my mom who I miss so dearly. You have conveyed in words the sentiments so many feel around this time of year. A profound and touching write. Cheers!

[Gee]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Although my mum alive and kicking I posted a poem called " A mother's passing" which you may like to read.
Thank you for commenting.