The lights won’t fill the darkness
you left behind
but I put them up
and try, anyway.
The present I’m unwrapping
won’t make me smile
knowing you will not be here
on Christmas Day.
The songs that we enjoyed
bring me fear
for they’re not sung in the way
you used to do.
There’s a world so very full
of warmth and cheer
but that world is not the same
without you.
There’s a log in the fire
burning brighter than the sun
but the wine in my hand
has no taste.
There’s a tree twinkling fiercely
with such festive joy
but I fear all this joy
will go to waste.
There’s a space at the table
that waits for you
there’s a joke you always told
which waits in vain.
There’s a hole in my heart
which never seems to mend
but nonetheless when I toast
I’ll toast your name.
Donna Ashworth
(my poetry books are available here:)
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_QXYBP1XQNKBHB07D6QHC
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RNWF03V6FPAM2JTX1K5V
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_CH4JGZ6C9XFWNQREB2PC
AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MA760Y5SFB94ACCAPZB4
#griefatchristmas #griefpoetry
