Lyrical Laments - 24. Chapter 24 Christmas in the Time of Covid

1 hour ago, KayDeeMac said:

A very sad but poignant sign of the 2020 season! Take care my friend.  Look forward to a 2021 with everyone vaccinated and able to reconnect with friends and love ones!!!

Thanks, David! Yeah, there is much to look forward to. We accept what we have to. Cheers, and Merry Christmas!  

1 hour ago, Parker Owens said:

If I could sit with you on Christmas Day

 

for just a fraction of the afternoon

 

and laugh at bits of wrapping paper strewn

 

across the floor, and ribbons gone astray,

 

inhaling scents to tickle the gourmet,

 

from which no nose or stomach is immune,

 

enough to make the toughest grumbler swoon,

 

and dissipate the everlasting grey;

 

I’d save for you my very favorite joke,

 

the one that’s guaranteed to make you smile,

 

as maple longs snap merrily in smoke

 

perhaps you’d take a hug in friendly style,

 

the warmer, brighter spirits to convoke -

 

if I could only sit with you a while.

 

I would love that, Parker. Alas, our visit must be virtual. Lovely poem and sweet sentiment... thank you! Merry Christmas.  

Very poignant words for Christmas 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 

41 minutes ago, mayday said:

In the original German poem or song,  the Christmas stood for true love, evergreen, ever loving, ever growing. Not flighty or fickle.

 

So,

your tree - let it stand sparsely lit.

You will still smell what it is, enjoy its green twigs,

a sign of hope in our times of isolation and care.

Let's hope for being together again and touching our loved ones. Why not?

Yes, we may be alone now (how long has it been???), but there are phone-calls and emails, letters and chats. Remember, a letter once took days to arrive.

We know now once more, what's really important.

I was sitting at my desk, trying to pour

my love for my loved ones into verses as there are no embraces in sight, no Christmas parties, festivities in the days up to Epiphany. Those days between Christmas and Epiphany - a never-ending party with ever more guests and friends and family....

This year it will be a truly quiet time. Silent. As the night. (There's a 9 pm. curfew over here.)

Holy night? I'm not so sure...

Feel embraced, my friend. Feel comforted. With thousands of miles between us, that is all I can send.

em

 

Thank you, em. Your beautiful sentiments help. We must make the best of the things we do have. Christmas Day will come and go, and we will survive to enjoy future family times. I plugged my tree lights in a few minutes ago.  

It has been such a long time, hasn't it? And there is still a good while to go. Stay safe, my friend, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.  

That was perfect!!!

40 minutes ago, mayday said:

I need to add this: the loudest lines to me in your poem, Gary, are these:

It’s for my own good

While I await my four calls

 

Yes, for me too. I know my kids are trying their best to keep me safe, and those four phone calls on Christmas Day will make everything okay.  

4 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

Very poignant words for Christmas 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 

Thank you, Chris! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.  

1 minute ago, KayDeeMac said:

That was prefect!!!

Thanks, David! Merry Christmas, my friend.  

2 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Thanks, David! Merry Christmas, my friend.  

And to you as well my friend!  

21 minutes ago, Headstall said:

I would love that, Parker. Alas, our visit must be virtual. Lovely poem and sweet sentiment... thank you! Merry Christmas.  

Merry Christmas to you, brother 

9 minutes ago, KayDeeMac said:

And to you as well my friend!  

Thanks, David, and don't take any risks.  

1 minute ago, Parker Owens said:

Merry Christmas to you, brother 

You folks have helped with your kind and beautiful words. Be well, brother Parker.  

A later walk in the woods

With my dog somewhere near

I will pray for the day

When I can once again

—touch those I hold dear

And I hope, and I trust, that day will come soon, my friend.  

35 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Thank you, em. Your beautiful sentiments help. We must make the best of the things we do have. Christmas Day will come and go, and we will survive to enjoy future family times. I plugged my tree lights in a few minutes ago.  

It has been such a long time, hasn't it? And there is still a good while to go. Stay safe, my friend, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.  

It has been long. Indeed.

I have lighted my candles, my 'traditional decorations' are lit, too, to cheer me and the people passing by up.

Take care, stay safe and enjoy Christmas, my friend!

10 minutes ago, Marty said:

 

 

11 minutes ago, Marty said:

A later walk in the woods

With my dog somewhere near

I will pray for the day

When I can once again

—touch those I hold dear

And I hope, and I trust, that day will come soon, my friend.  

Thanks, Marty! So do I. Merry Christmas!    

Just now, mayday said:

It has been long. Indeed.

I have lighted my candles, my 'traditional decorations' are lit, too, to cheer me and the people passing by up.

Take care, stay safe and enjoy Christmas, my friend!

 

The only ones who can see my tree where it sits in front of the window, are the dairy cows next door, but I did just enjoy a cup of tea in front of the lights. It's funny what poetry does for me. I feel so much better after penning this one. Tonight my daughter is dropping off my turkey and groceries, tomorrow I will do some cooking, and Christmas Day I will see my youngest son when he picks up his food.   And then there are the phone calls from the other kids and grandkids.    All the best to you, em.  

2 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

Does anyone have a tissue handy?      

*hands Val a box*  

1 minute ago, Valkyrie said:

Christmas definitely looks a lot different this year, that's for sure.    I could relate to only partially decorating the tree.  I did the same with mine, although I do plug the lights in every day.  I'm thankful to at least be spending the day with my mom, but that may change since we're supposed to get hammered with a lake effect snow storm.  Just know that we're all here with you virtually to celebrate our friendship.  And hopefully next year will dawn brighter.      

There was no joy in decorating, and I wasn't even sure why I was doing it... I guess it was just to tell my kids I did it. But I did plug the lights in this afternoon and sat with a cup of tea... it was nice.  

My oldest told me she is going to come by after she drops my grandson off at his father's. And my youngest will be by to pick up his turkey dinners. It won't be so bad... I'll talk to all of them on Christmas Day. Yeah, let's hope for a better year next year.  

Christmas time of miracles. And when you're out  with your dog and there's only one tiny star glittering through a gap in the clouds, imagine we look at it at the same time and wave and raise a glass of red, a cup of coffee in greeting. 

To A New Hope 2021!