Constance La France Poet Free verse

Christmas Mask

Christmas is over and I can remove my mask,
that smile that hides the me beyond
the ding dong merrily on high can go away
Christmas movies I never liked . . . 
the lights were nice I could keep those all year
 
I had to eat a piece of Aunt Terry's fruitcake
the sweet frosting is still choking me
I pushed the inevitable turkey around my plate
like I am a vegetarian folks...
got another teapot to add to my collection of 
teapots from previous years
that's six now . . . 

I bet there are many like me who dread Christmas
it brings all my memories back
they come creeping and though once happy
they now make me weep . . . 
for they are memories of the life I once had
of the promise of love like a delicate flower
now he is a name engraved
and the baby who never saw the sky

there are scars on my soul
so beyond the happy Christmas joy and cheer 
I am weather-stained with years
no mom or dad, no anchor to hold me down
so now I go back to hiding in my flowing hair 
like a golden river streaming
and I am lost in a sea of nameless faces
(until next Christmas that is)

___________________________
December 27, 2019


Poetry/Free Verse/Beyond My Christmas Mask
Copyright Protected, ID 12-1212-014-27
All Rights Reserved, 2019


Written for the contest Beyond the Niceties of Christmas
sponsor, Bobby Burns

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Andrea Dietrich December 3, 2025 at 10:15 AM Wow. This is so poignant, Constance. So sad that many people I know are feeling this way Constance La France December 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM Andrea, thank you for the compliment, and comment, I am sure many feel this way at Christmas, blessings

James Swartz January 1, 2020 at 11:33 AM The holidays are not the joyous time we are lead to believe. For adults it represent the fears and failures of our life. Hoping next year is better. Knowing it won't be. You summed it all up perfectly for us. I do hope your holidays weren't too bad this year. Constance La France January 1, 2020 at 1:05 PM James, thanks for visiting my poetry and for the great comment, I went through the required motions of Christmas and now I am free of it all ~

Kim Rodrigues December 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM I love the teapot collection. Perhaps a photo? Let me know if you attach one or soupmail me. I still don’t know how to do a personal photo on PS. So sad so many losses. My dad lost his dad three days before Christmas when I was two years old. I know it still hurts him, especially for all the years he could have had in his generation. To lose a child even harder. Hugs to you. Whatever your losses be here on earth, God’s blessings far outweigh. Love ya! (Your Sister-Poet) Constance La France December 29, 2019 at 12:58 PM Got the pic but cannot seem to load it on the poem or anywhere on PS ! Constance La France December 29, 2019 at 12:08 PM Kim, thanks for the wonderful uplifting comment, I will try to get a pic of the tea pots and try posting above the poem but if I cannot I will send you the pic somehow !

Caren Krutsinger December 28, 2019 at 12:17 AM This is beautiful, even with its abject sadness, my friend. I am sending you prayers because this time of year can be incredibly sad for many, and I suspect for you. Constance La France December 28, 2019 at 10:36 AM Caren, thanks for visiting with the compliment. Yes there is always a beautiful sadness for me at Christmastime!

Lindsay Laurie December 27, 2019 at 6:21 PM G'day Dear Heart … it's a time when family members who don't particularly like each other come together, unwanted gifts, and overindulging in food and drink cause discomfort. Your verse hits the target - thank you Dear Heart - Lindsay Constance La France December 27, 2019 at 9:07 PM Lindsey, you must have been at my family get together on Christmas day, because your comment pretty much sums it up !

Ts Poetry December 27, 2019 at 5:39 PM I know that feeling Dear Heart Constance La France December 27, 2019 at 9:05 PM TS, I hate the way Christmas has become so commercial but still go through the motions for family ~

Constance La France December 27, 2019 at 5:26 PM Totally fiction ! Except the sad parts those are true but I love Christmas but also happy it is over and done and things can go back to normal !