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Virgil

That Last Christmas

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9 Comments
by
Virgil
, 01-04-2008 at 10:41 AM (2004 Views)
OK, I have thread out there for comments on this, and some of my thoughts on the writing decisions I made. So check the thread. Just do a search on threads I've started and you'll easily find it. But your comments here would be appreciated too.

That Last Christmas

He coped with one closing Christmas with us.
Graced as a salvation of medicine
Papa returned home after having been
Mended—the surgeons fingering his heart
Like wise men offering pious.

Not fully mended. He needed my hand
To shave, lift out of bed, slide on his trousers.
He tried his best. That’s what life spurs,
His rasping breath, his timorous eyes,
His weight pitched on me to stand.

Mom put out her holiday table twill,
With the poinsettia print. Beneath the tree
The kids appraised the glitzy gifts with glee.
We even drank some wine, though all his meds,
Soothed by singing Santa on the sill.

We mostly talked. His face glowed. He said
Life, pain and all, was pleasant, one complied.
When he smiled it seemed angels were beside
Him. He said he understood our savior’s birth,
Tree lights twinkling green and red.

Brother horsed around, Sis drove a thousand miles;
Mom spread across dish after dish to feast
Into the night. At twelve yearning ceased,
Gifts peeled, he got a pillow for his neck.
He gave the kids twenty dollar bills.

Atoned, that was his last hale holy day.
Then on it was all stations of the cross,
A shrinking heart; the glow curved into gloss.
The winter night rounded into a bellow,
And the star above decayed.
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Comments

  1. Countess's Avatar
    I LOVE it. Lovely alliteration and sentiment. Very touching and sad.
  2. B-Mental's Avatar
    Virgil, what does the line "Then on it was all stations of the cross," mean to you. My father died during the Lenten season, so when we had the funeral, the priest(greatly overworked) wanted to rush through the graveside service to go perform stations of the cross. It was another one of the churches mistakes. The priest chose to rush one of the faithful out, just to make sure that the daily performance of stations of the cross was observed. It rankled me. Anyways, I like this a lot. I imagine your father was very much like mine. Peace, B
  3. Virgil's Avatar
    B-M, like I said in the thread with the poem, that line was a contraction of "From then on his life was stations of the cross." I was not saying he passed during lenten season or anything like that. All I meant was that his life was filled with heavy physical burdens and difficulties. Sorry to hear about your father. It seems we all have these melancholy memories that haunt us. If we are human and have family and friendships, it is destiny to have these hauntings.
  4. B-Mental's Avatar
    I see, thanks for clarifying Virgil
  5. mtpspur's Avatar
    A gentle sadness and a son honors the father well. I'm am glad you were there for him.
  6. 's Avatar
    Hey virge I just wanted to tell you that I saw this in the forum and plan to respond, I've been a little preoccupied, I'll be on it ASAP, I don't forget. Be well.
  7. Virgil's Avatar
    I look forward to your comments Jon.
  8. kiz_paws's Avatar
    Virgil, your poem is beautifully sad, such a fine tribute for such a fine man. I would never make any other comment on such touching words, as a poem like this is definitely from the heart, and needs no criticism. Bless you, Kizzo
  9. Virgil's Avatar
    Thank you kizzo.