Nowadays I'm a semi-recluse.
often, I feel the need to retreat,
reverse yet further
into a temporary nest
of a woolgathering and
imprecise brain.
It is feather-fluffing time,
time to watch squirrel's scamper
over a slack jawed presence,
to ogle thoughts from afar
as they fuzzily forage
after each other.
A wide Walnut tree,
spreads out of my imagination,
furry paws toy with cracked visions
in their nutshells.
Nobody here, nobody phoning or
knocking,
Just a crow cawing on a branch
which might be (in truth) my right arm.
That limb always was the most
social
and gregarious part of me -
I often talk to myself with it.
Boxing Day
Christmas over,
Boxing day,
Snow replaced by rain,
Turkey eaten,
Presents opened,
Bones and wrapping remain.
Silent carols,
Muted bells,
The candles all burned out,
Bottle tops,
Nutshells
And gift tags lay round about.
Glittered cards,
Ribbons and bows,
Tinsel, baubles and more,
Unwanted gifts,
Stale perfume,
All strewn across the floor.
The tree bare,
Bulbs blown,
Forgotten cracker jokes,
Empty bottles,
Hangovers
Santa just some bloke.
Party poppers,
Paper hats,
Plastic Jesus in his stable,
Fallen cards,
Holly leaves
Litter the festive table.
Melancholy
Mistletoe,
The anti-climax seems sad,
But in my heart
It will always be
The best Christmas I've had.
While the temperature gets colder
An anniversary comes closer
One that every family fears
But still closer and closer it nears
Silent nights in December
As a family and as one we remember
What has happened we cannot change
So much that Christmas can never be the same
Change
One for the good and bad, but not the same
Silent nights in December
Our hearts open and tender
Too our demons, our faith we shall not surrender
Faith
To have and to hold, with the utmost confidence
One fallen from there heavenly cloud
Deeper and deeper they go, harder to convince
Silent nights in December
Memories will flow with tears and laughter
Ideas of our life now and after
With memories like nutshells we will gather
When the cold weather fades we will still remember
And never forget about the silent nights in December
Nutshell we would play
A song that’s hard to hear today
So many memories
So many thoughts
It’s a song I haven’t quite forgot
Together we would play
Strumming our instruments everyday
Singing with our hearts out aloud
Even though there was never a crowd
But together we would play
Stuck in nutshells we would stay
My strings are now out of tune and rusty
His guitar will never again be played
Our song has died with him
Nutshells all seem to fade
This song that we played
Has reached the end of its day
Like Nutshells in the song
I know you’re never gone
So let the sand cover your face
Leave at peace from this place
But always remember our song
Wherever in heaven you may roam
Sing it to yourself when alone
We will one day sing together
When God calls me home
So now your gone
My tears will continue to pour
I will always remember our song
But to me Nutshell is no more
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