Christmas Mourning
All the houses on the block are decorated
With Menorahs or Christmas lights, except one.
Jan pushes open the door and peeks at Jimmy’s
Neon train set. He used to laugh so loudly
When Daddy had to get under the couch
To retrieve those trains!
Jim used to get irritated, when Jimmy let
Them go under the couch for fun, on purpose.
Closing her eyes, she can hear Jimmy’s hearty 3-year-old laugh.
Jim peeks in. What are you doing? He asks.
His voice is a whisper.
Telling tears are in her eyes. She cannot speak.
They go downstairs and sit on the couch,
Looking out at their neighbors' cheerfully lit houses.
Life is still happening for them. Cancer has not ruined their lives.
It is Christmas, she whispers.
Not this year, he replies.
They huddle together in their grief,
Wishing things could have been different.
Neither caring about Mary’s Son, this year.
Written 11-17-2018 Contest: Christmas Mourning
Sponsor: P.W. Awtry
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2018
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment