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Cardboard Boxes

she packed away her memories in cardboard boxes on the shelf they sit layered in dust like years passed she just couldn't get in the holiday mood there was no point in celebrating when all loved ones had long been gone he offered to bring the spirit alive like back then he opened all the boxes carefully adorning the lawn to make it shine just like before the aroma of cookies filled the house as the spirit slowly came upon her again her house the prettiest on the street flickered in holiday flare onlookers came by to gaze upon her lawn he watched them lovingly proud of his display then set himself aglow she packed away her memories in cardboard boxes they sit in the garage on shelves with dreams collecting dust she doesn't like the holidays its spirit can't be found

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Running Wolves

Date: 12/9/2019 12:30:00 PM

Sweet poetess, after reading all the comments I don't know what to say. I can truly understand the anguish in your poem, and the anguish in yours and your sisters life. Although my experience was different in that what happened was a military accident, I definitely understand how it feels to have to see someone burn to death and have no way of stopping it. What he did to your sister and your family is unforgivable. May God heal you all and bless you

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/9/2019 7:24:00 PM

Thank you Robert...sorry to see you had to deal with watching this sort of thing as well....some things get etched into a memory and cannot ever be unseen or easily forgotten... hugs

Alexis Y.

Date: 12/3/2019 11:57:00 PM

Hi Sandra, This is such a sad write. How could she view Christmas the same after much heartache? I read the comments below and I know it must have been hard to write this. Excellent job writing such a write - Alexis

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/4/2019 1:15:00 PM

Thank you Alexis it is hard to deal with but sometimes writing helps the holidays just seem to be one of those things where I go through the motions while being numb, for her it’s worse ... hugs

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/2/2019 7:56:00 PM

Reminscent of 'Awakenings'... and then 'Returnings.' Poignant, and felt(!), Sandy. Well done! Warm wishes, Gershon

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 8:29:00 PM

thank you...standing in my sister's garage, seeing all the boxes of christmas stacked, collecting dust must have sparked something inside of me... hugs :)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 12/2/2019 3:56:00 PM

Hard luck for the broken hearted!

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 4:24:00 PM

thanks Kim...i doubt she will ever use them again but doesn't seem to want to part with them either... hugs

Caycay Jennings

Date: 12/2/2019 2:22:00 PM

Such emotion conveyed - beautifully done. This poem's feeling will stay with me for awhile. Don't ever run out of ink, Sweetie! Poetry hugs ... CayCay

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 2:43:00 PM

Thank you so much my sweet friend, i smile because you were around today... hugs :)

Na Na

Date: 12/2/2019 1:51:00 PM

Thanks for sharing this poem. It makes the reader feel the deep conviction and solemn praise.

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 2:42:00 PM

Thank you so very much Paul... hugs

Constance La France

Date: 12/2/2019 12:32:00 PM

Sandra, a deep and emotional write, words dripped your sadness. I also have cardboard boxes of Christmas decorations I cannot bear to look at!

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 2:42:00 PM

sad isn't it? some memories burn more than others... thank you my friend... hugs to you

Ann Foster

Date: 12/2/2019 11:45:00 AM

Take them out.... all of them... Lovely poem. You are such a word artist.... truly your heart shines. Ann

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 2:41:00 PM

Thank you so much my friend.... hugs :)

Line Gauthier

Date: 12/2/2019 9:58:00 AM

Lots of lonely people during the holidays and your poem is a lovely tribute to them.

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 10:04:00 AM

Thank you Line...lots of people dislike the holidays too for many reasons... hugs

Chris Green

Date: 12/2/2019 9:49:00 AM

The holidays bring different feelings to different people. Some happy, some sad and some somewhere in between. Sorry they seemed to bring sadness to you my friend. I love how you wrote this though, the holiday put away in cardboard boxes, stored on a shelf collecting dust.

Chris Green
Date: 12/2/2019 10:22:00 AM

Oops, my mistake. Sorry she is so sad.

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 9:57:00 AM

thank you so much Chris....it's not about me my friend...see the comment to John...half her garage is christmas in boxes...her yard used to be the prettiest around...she can't get the image of burning flesh melted on her lawn out of her head...

Vijay Pandit

Date: 12/2/2019 9:46:00 AM

Ebb and flow of emotions in this poignant write my friend--no wonder she doesn't like the holidays. It really hurts to read what happened--what you wrote in response to John's comments.

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 9:53:00 AM

Thank you so much my friend...he lived, spent many months in hospitals, they ended it...half her garage contents are all her decorations...she wont put anything up...she will come to my house just to eat...i give her gifts but she doesn't open them in front of me...maybe she doesn't at all...i don't know... hugs :)

John Hamilton

Date: 12/2/2019 9:39:00 AM

Loved the melancholy of this write, there is always an honesty of feelings portrayed in your writing. I imagine it's hard to celebrate anything with so much loss weighing on the mind and heart!

John Hamilton
Date: 12/3/2019 10:27:00 AM

Wow Sandy, I don't know what to say...set himself on fire? Where do these people get these ideas...horrific reality! I've heard of some terrible things this one well...I'm speechless!

Sandra Adams
Date: 12/2/2019 9:44:00 AM

this is actually about my sister...she didn't want to celebrate after we lost all our family..her and her man split then got back together....he decided to decorate, she agreed, like old times...she was baking, the lawn was beautiful my son was supposed to go join them, and they never came we got a hold of her...her man had called her outside to see the lights, and lit himself on fire.... she won't decorate or bake at all... Thank you John for always supporting my work...you always seem to know when they are coming from life experience... hugs