Decorating Silence

Decorating Silence by Odin Roark How deafening the stillness Where once did tinkling chimes hang above Welcoming doors opening When snow-clad galoshes padded innocently While a snow covered canine Did wag Did pant Did shake How distant the Lionel train Making its rounds about the tree Its smoke stack puffing Its timid whistle sounding How comforting The fragrance of conifer drippings The string draped popcorn boughs The reflective glass balls of red Green Yellow And clear How memorable these reflections Love’s time past When simple butcher paper Newspaper Brownbag wrapped gifts Needed but a piece of red string To bring a smile Aged appreciation nods Snapshots remain Remembrance fixes frozen moments Standing warm and supportive Rising from the flames How faithful my fire The stone encased resuscitator Able to keep safe Those undulating mirages Never out of reach Always ready to arouse Performing the yearly dance Beneath moist overcast eyes Ever glistening Time fades Fireplaces stand ready Nostalgia’s faithful friends know well Decorated silence remains But a simple rekindling away