we decorated / the christmas tree

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Open Poetry #41

we decorated / the christmas tree

shirtless
Member

since 2006-04-29

Posts 359

0 posted 2007-12-23 08:27 PM

we decorated
the christmas tree
the day after
my father’s funeral

my daughter
strung the lights
that reflected
on every cheek

I dropped
the heavy angel
meant to crown
the tree
and saw its broken wings
lying
on the floor
like tumoured lungs

and when I hung
a horse and sleigh
to a lower bough
I thought of the buddhist story

but so far
this death
is no runaway mare
returning
with a stallion

poetry podcasts, blogs and[ photopoems at URL= http://anthonyarmstrong.ca

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural

1 posted 2007-12-23 08:36 PM

Merry Christmas

ARCTIC WIND

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant

since 2000-01-29

Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia

2 posted 2007-12-23 08:36 PM

Anthony... I'm sorry for your loss... beautifully penned. RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

3 posted 2007-12-24 11:52 AM

Yes, we think of death as of something definitive ... your poem holds so much that unfolds within just a few gestures.

Very well done, indeed.

Love,
Margherita

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2007-12-24 12:24 PM

Hi shirtless

A difficult Christmas time, when death is so near. I hope the ornaments glow in your daughter's cheeks will be the reflection that you keep on top.

Pilgrimage
Member Elite

since 2001-12-04

Posts 3945
Texas, USA

5 posted 2007-12-24 12:41 PM

This one affected me. I lost my Mom a couple of weeks before Christmas four years ago, and this brought it back. Well written.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

6 posted 2007-12-24 02:09 PM

shirtless - grief is such a silent affair but you have given it voice in a way that touches the reader. My sincere condolences on your loss.

Helen

wandering glider
Senior Member

since 2001-04-04

Posts 501
aloft

7 posted 2007-12-24 02:44 PM

a sustaining benefit, ritual

hope you will find joy in the day, as well

~glider~

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

8 posted 2007-12-25 06:29 PM

May God Bless you holiday season, Anthony..

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.