I think I will call it Celebration?

This is my Merry Christmas to everyone here in writers Café! So many wonderful hearts have touched me in this place:)

This empty dining room

Breathes a tender recollection

Of many afternoons

And affairs, of fond reflection

 

In the silent commune

Of sequesters isolation

An ache in my heart croons

For embrace of consolation

 

My concern in this year

Could cherish no celebrations

These hollow tables cleared

Stand and wait in reservation

 

An unexpected tear

Falls in silent resignation

This holiday I fear

Too, shall be an aberration

 

As the evening draws near

I hear the ghosts of ardor

Echoes of those held dear

In past seasons joyful regards

 

The memories appear

To wrap warm this secluded soul

I bask in erstwhile’s cheer

To toast my dining room so cold

 

Then I heard of the tears

Of a granddaughter five years old

A Christmas tree this year

They could not afford she was told

 

My course had become clear

For as every grandparent knows

There is nothing more dear

Then to see a little heart glow

 

Well it remains unclear

If this old store will have to close

But treasure most sincere

Comes from the touch of loving souls

 

 

Author's Note

Robert · Celebration

Reviews

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

Bittersweet, but necessary. We cannot simply ignore the situation we are in. We have to accept it, learn from it, change, and never let it happen again. I loved the poem. Thank for sharing it, rough draft or not, something can be felt from this poem. I sense how this has hurt you. And how it hurts all of us. Let's hope this will not have to continue much longer. We on writerscafe hear you.

[Robert Trakofler]

thanks man I wanted the story to be uplifting in the end and a reminder of what is truly important it took me three drafts but i think i succeeded in the end:)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"My course had become clear
For as every grandparent knows
There is nothing more dear
Then to see a little heart glow"
How perfectly amazing and incandescent with compassion and goodness your Christmas poem and celebration are dear Robert! Your shop is glorious and your tree emits the light of love to all it graces, as does your heart. Wonderful language, verse, rhyme, imagery, alliteration, voice and message... Your last verse hurts my soul. I hope and pray your shop can survive and share its joy with all it touches for many, many more years. It just has to!
"But treasure most sincere
Comes from the touch of loving souls"... From your pen to God's ears my friend...Amen.

[barleygirl]

This is a touching account of how it feels, for you, to stand by while fate messes with your livelihood. Your noble sacrifice, made without complaint, should humble all those who whine about the inconvenience of masks & social distancing. The word portrait you paint is the ugly backside of these restrictions, not mere inconvenience. I feel for you every day. I don't know how you stay so real & balanced about how this is all going down. Reading your poem is a challenge to the rest of us to be more understanding & accepting of what others are going thru & how there's probably a deep well of heart-wrenching stuff like this, hidden away. Thank you for being a beacon, as well as a friend to everyone at the cafe, & happy new year (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

It has always been a no brainer for me 'commerce' over the lives and safety of my customers never took precedence. So many dining rooms are closed these days I'm just drip in the ocean but I must admit, tho these are the times for poets I am finding it harder and harder to wax poetic or even dribble I'm sure it is just covid fatigue and good old fashioned depression stifilling my write. but I keep clanking on Margie

[Cherrie Palmer]

This story is filled with heart. A real treasure. Stay warm and I hope you have a better day filled with sunshine

[Robert Trakofler]

it is beautiful outside I love the first day after a snowstorm everything looks so new

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes I agree that is a very satisfying thing, and the night sky early in the morning.

[Ken Simm.]

This hits all the seasonal notes. It is melancholoy when need and sad sweet when need and then just simply joyous. Messages that we all need just now. (I wrote massages just there by mistake, now I do not know) A wonderful poem Robert. I hope you had a good one.

[Robert Trakofler]

good morning Ken:) it is good to see you! you can learn a lot from a five year old:) it was a funny Christmas morning it involved some crime and desperation (I will send you a pm)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Robert... I enjoyed hearing you recite your poetry and your Baritone voice with a touch of tenor like an Angel’s Wing watching over you. Beautiful sentiments... of the granddaughter missing her Christmas Tree .. but you can tell her the Baby in the Manger had only the Cattle
Lowing and Angels singing Oh Holy Night .. the “Star” shining Brightly... Be of Good Cheer. ... tenderly, Pat

[Relic]

This poem inspired me to write a similar one about a bar. This has been a very bad year for a lot of business owners, especially in New York. Places that have been in business for over 90 years have had to close. Your poem illustrates the sadness that pervades anyone who enjoys the company of others.

I'm sure when the world opens up again they'll be plenty of parties to celebrate. But they'll be a pit in the stomach of those who've likewise lost so much.

Great poem, Bunny.

[Susan 🌺]

Well was it the Grinch that said, " maybe, Christmas is a little bit more" ;-)
So true... childhood Christmas magic remains in the memories of loving souls. Merry Christmas!

[Gee]

I remember my brother being a right miserable, woe is me fella when diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 40. This though changed when on attending chemotherapy most of the other patients were small kids who were only just starting out in life.
There is always something that will happen or will be seen that will put our own problems into perspective.
I hope your business survives and many folk get to meet the man that is you a Robert :))
Hope you are keeping well.

[Robert Trakofler]

thanks Gee:) those grandkids teach me things all of the time they make me remember the important stuff and appreciate the little things so much more:) Im still slogging on its hard going but Ii's better than sitting in the house feeling sorry for myself and staring at the walls if i make it great if not I will think of something else to do:)

[Neville]

May the ghosts of Christmas past unite and meet in Zenith's dining hall come Christmas night .. and may they dine on love, health and cheer and welcome in a brand new year .... A brand new year and covid free and may the elves n fairies who believe in thee and who know they oughta, bring along a present laid and lit up Christmas tree .. for Bunny's 5 year old Granddaughter ...................... Thinking of you Robert... my sons restaurant shut up shop a couple of months ago .... fingers crossed for healthier and all round better times to come ...............

Yours Most Sincerely,

Neville

[Robert Trakofler]

so many dining rooms will be empty this Christmas brother Nev:/ I am so sorry your son had to close it is a miracle he lasted as long as he did this second "wave" was the death knell for many businesses around here too:( This dark winter will end and hopefully the long awaited spring will give a new hope for us all! I am wishing for a new beginning for your son's store too I can only imagine how hard that was for him to have to do! The nice thing is for me in all of this is the fact that light and colors are all the more vivid after a long night of darkness just imagine the sheer brilliance of this coming spring my dear friend:)

[Neville]

thanks Robert.. I share your vision and will pass the message on to the lad Richard....................... Nev :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Oooh I just saw and listened to the video
Beautiful

[Robert Trakofler]

Awe thank you so much Julie:)