image by Olga Tutunaru on UnsplashI am the unwieldy book
you would rather not read
that opened up well but then
took a late turn for the worse.
And now, duty bound, you cannot
simply put me down firmly.
Compelled, you must finish your start,
every chapter and verse.
A new level of missing you
has settled on my heart.
Year two, and I am still undone
by living life apart.
The wonder of Christmas has always been mine.
It was given to me as a child.
Mother told me the tale of that first holy night,
and Christ’s light filled her eyes as she smiled.
Another year has come and gone…
another decade, too.
The message is that life goes on,
no matter what we do.
Waldemar Brandt on UnsplashI stood beside your grave one day,
not too long ago.
It was an extra visit, for
my heart was feeling low.
Image by Joshua Earle on UnsplashI dreamed that I could carry you,
but now I realize
my pocket had a hole in it,
just about your size.
Little bits of heaven swirl around the manger bright,
falling softly as the mem’ry of that Christmas night
when all the world stood still in wonder at the Savior’s birth,
and choirs of angels sang out joy and peace to men on earth.
Life brings challenges and joys.
Our path to progress was foretold.
We chose the bitter with the sweet
and vowed to step out brave and bold.