Merry Christmas

The cold feet of winter step slowly
past December’s green leaves and red berries
hung from window sills and door jams.
Brightly wrapped in silver shooting stars
tied tight with ribbons of challis and satin bows,
hope of tomorrow lies shining beneath sparkling
scenes of jolly smiling fantasies.
Past remembrance of happier times,
dreams lie untouched,
packaged in soft tissue and gentle smiles
against the breathy whispers of shortened days
and the dark of evening reverie.

Laughing fragrance of cinnamon, tickles
past iced fingers on frozen window panes
as the cider is heated, only to be left chilling, 
untouched, beside sweet wishes in sentimental ink,
filled with ephemeral thoughts of fictitious emotions
marking the passing of another day,
as if transcending all others, that like it, passes, sunrise to sunset, 
one turn of the earth, special only because it falls at this time of year.
A gentle brush of the hand against 
the worn wood of a varnished life 
sends a sparkle of glitter spilling from the torn seal,
cascading unnoticed to the cold floor.

Silence permeates the walls of this brightly adorned space.
Only the low volume of distant voices,
murmured from the flickering screen that sits alone
atop the meticulously cleaned table in the corner,
breaks the crystal glaze and thaws the solitude.
In each object on each table is revealed the joy that could be, 
the remembered smiles, the bright brown and blue glints of 
excited anticipation that fill the frames, 
and used to fill this room.
Time now broken, hands of the clock frozen,
I stare at the brightly glowing, twinkling lights,
as my liquid sorrow fills my unfocused eyes
and I soundlessly whisper a lonely, Merry Christmas.


12/06/17

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017



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Date: 6/27/2020 1:38:00 AM
I think your phrase "the joy that could be" summarizes so poignantly the emptiness that many find in Christmas. The sights and sounds of so many others enjoying themselves only amplifies the feelings of loneliness. Well stated, James.
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James Inman
Date: 6/27/2020 10:19:00 AM
Thank you John. The sounds of Christmas in my house have always been joyous, as a child with my parents and siblings and as an adult with my children but there has always been that feeling of watching it from outside looking in.
Date: 6/5/2020 3:56:00 PM
oh wow, another sad one. It's so true, how Xmas is only special just for being the day that it is, and yet it sends the lonely souls spiraling into depression. Wonderful writing. You have shared with me some of your very best!
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James Inman
Date: 6/5/2020 4:44:00 PM
It works better around Christmas, thanks for the nice comment.
Date: 6/1/2020 9:45:00 PM
A wonderful piece James. Your words create great images I truly relate to. It is the sentences that are uniquely crafted into a special time of love, emotion, thoughtfulness, and pain. You have captured it in a perfect description...
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James Inman
Date: 6/4/2020 9:41:00 PM
Another exceptional comment Michael, thanks.
Date: 4/21/2020 9:28:00 AM
Superbly crafted poem - every line has an impact. Tons of vivid imagery.
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James Inman
Date: 4/21/2020 12:24:00 PM
Thank you Line, emotion and imagery creating relatable experiences.
Date: 1/8/2018 1:24:00 AM
A very nostalgic write James, unfortunately Christmas is a time when thoughts like these are most prevalent. You are truly an amazing writer, you draw your reader in from beginning to end. Brilliant....Maria
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James Inman
Date: 1/8/2018 4:10:00 AM
Thank you for the kind words Maria.
Date: 12/24/2017 4:00:00 PM
such a sad poem James Christmas can be such a difficult time for so many reasons:-(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jan!hugs Jan xx
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James Inman
Date: 12/24/2017 7:07:00 PM
Yes Jan, I love Christmas actually but its like eating your favorite dessert everyday for a week. You still like it but you need a change. I'm never at my best this time of year.
Date: 12/24/2017 2:19:00 PM
Even with it's sad tones, this poem is still so wonderful, James... I love how you've captured all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas within these lines... Beautifully done!... Merry Christmas to you and I wish you all the best for the New Year!
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James Inman
Date: 12/24/2017 7:02:00 PM
Thank you for your lovely comment Kelly, nice of you to drop by. Have a wonderful Christmas and a fruitful new year as well.
Date: 12/24/2017 6:50:00 AM
A deeply sad and hauntingly lonely poem, James, this time of the year must be tough for you...sending my warm hugs and wishes to you round the globe:)
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James Inman
Date: 12/24/2017 6:57:00 PM
Thank you Jo, wishing you a beautiful night and wonderful tomorrow.
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