Who Will Carve This Christmas

Who Will Carve This Christmas

A Poem by Gee
"

Missing loved ones

"
The messages shorter, less sincere than in previous years,
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.
And then tears, tears that fell sorely, unashamedly, freely,
as the last card read before not writing

"To a very special father at Christmas time "










© 2017 Gee


Author's Note

Gee
Written with Jacob in mind...

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Reviews

What a difference between the feeling of the holidays in youth and the feelings as we age. Nostalgia adds a dash of melancholy sometimes, and those who are missed hijack our thoughts. No joy without grief. Great piece.

Posted 2 Months Ago


“Our Father who Art in Heaven … hallowed be thy name…” is a Refrain as our Fathers are also in Heaven singing 🎶 in the Choir… another Christmas to Reminise .. Merry Christmas 2023…
Blessings… Pat

Posted 2 Months Ago


This is lovely. And I can empathise with it remembering my lovely daughter.
Very many blessed tidings this festive season my good friend.

Posted 2 Months Ago


Gee

2 Months Ago

My thoughts and best wishes are with you Ken, couldn't imagine my life without my daughter gracing i.. read more
Bestest wishes to a man who knows how to love his ladies and - his heart to his readers. My/our birth family always had an empty chair and will carry on that tradition forever.. tis how it should be. Must if only to jog memories that smile outside but might cry deep inside. At this time of year (and all through any year) the scene and emotions you have so empathically included takes place in secrecy.. how tragic it is that lots of peeps use their PCs to create relationship with complete strangers? Come to think of it, the vast majority sit alone at some time.. wondering a multitude of what, why, how, where when and who?????? There are probably more tears let loose on Christmas day than smiles or laughter... could be a day with as many secrets as wondering why me/him/her?. Heartbreaking question, sir Gee

Must away. God bless you all. ..

Posted 2 Months Ago


Gee

2 Months Ago

you are here in this old heart.
Take care.
Merry Christmas

Posted the p.. read more
emmajoygreen

2 Months Ago

Put more water with it next time.. off and away.. Bye
Gee

2 Months Ago

Just started, a glass of prosecco with the ladeez then perhaps a cheeky wee Malbec with dinner :)
I love the use of the black ink to reflect 'his' mood &, in contrast, the "snow white" christmas card. These two description are a very elegant way of symbolizing how a time that is supposed to be joyous can clash with a person who is not. In fact if I had written this (and I kinda wish I had) I might have ended it at the first three lines. They are very, very strong. had me hooked.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Gee

5 Years Ago

Thank you Paul
Wow! Thank you for this. makes me want to hug everyone in my family. And all of you of course

Posted 5 Years Ago


Gee

5 Years Ago

Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for both reading and commenting.
Hope you are enjoying the festiv.. read more
There is always an emptiness of the complete picture at the thought of that empty chair. The stilness where loud memories used to be changes these days forever. But we carry on, trying to feel blessed while etched in sadness.
Beautiful write Sir

Posted 5 Years Ago


Gee

5 Years Ago

Thank you Lorry, hope all is well up North.
Cheers
Lorry

5 Years Ago

Not bad thanks. Its a balmy nine degrees and not raining. Result :)
Christmas can be a very lonely time indeed for the elderly and bereaved, or for that matter anyone living on their own. I would imagine most of them are really happy to get Christmas day over. This is a poignant piece of writing Gee. Makes me appreciate what I have.

Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


This comment has been deleted by the poster.
Gee

5 Years Ago

I know what you mean. Thank you Christine
oh wow - that's lovely!

It's true isn't it - we choose silence over discussion about the hard topics. We should teach ourselves, each other and especially our kids to talk openly and freely to know that getting in touch with emotions will help to move through them.

This is an especially great write - cheers Gee X

Posted 5 Years Ago


Gee

5 Years Ago

Yep, no point bottling things up or shying away from life, it'll still be there.
Thanks for r.. read more
No card from Mildred this year she said - No not yet - but it Christmas Eve - Hers are always early - Yes I know; I have last years card here; her writing was so spidery and uneven, not her usual style all clear and even - It is twenty five years since that holiday in Spain, she was in her late seventies then; she would be in her nineties now; mum was eighty two - Yes they have both had a good innings - I posted her card two weeks since and put our address in, we may hear something

Posted 5 Years Ago


Gee

5 Years Ago

Thing is with the dead they never tell you they are. Unbelievably inconsiderate. Thank you.

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1787 Views
37 Reviews
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Added on December 2, 2017
Last Updated on December 26, 2017
Tags: Father, son, love

Author

Gee
Gee

Milton keynes, United Kingdom



About
Devoted family man and lover of life. Simply written, easily understood "stuff" for those without code breaking skills. You will NEVER need Google to understand me:) more..

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