12-23-2015, 03:21 AM
A Christmas card for Simon
It’s that time of the year again.
I remember how you hated
the frenzy of tacky decorations,
Hallmark sentiments, angels,
boozy bonhomie, too much food,
the choosing and wrapping
and giving of gifts no one needed.
The waste.
You were excluded from family
invitations that year, from seeing children
called away; Don’t bother Uncle Simon, play
somewhere else. You decided
to have Christmas lunch with me.
You didn’t arrive ‘til late afternoon,
on the nod. No way could you eat.
I sat watching as you drifted in and out
of consciousness. I counted planes
through the skylight in the roof
while the day darkened
until finally I threw the food
to the back yard dogs
and went to bed.
I know you don’t want to be reminded
of all that, and I’m sorry to bring it up.
I know you’ll probably recognize
my writing on the envelope and throw this card
straight into the bin without reading it.
Anyway.
I just wanted to say
Merry Christmas.
I still miss you.
It’s that time of the year again.
I remember how you hated
the frenzy of tacky decorations,
Hallmark sentiments, angels,
boozy bonhomie, too much food,
the choosing and wrapping
and giving of gifts no one needed.
The waste.
You were excluded from family
invitations that year, from seeing children
called away; Don’t bother Uncle Simon, play
somewhere else. You decided
to have Christmas lunch with me.
You didn’t arrive ‘til late afternoon,
on the nod. No way could you eat.
I sat watching as you drifted in and out
of consciousness. I counted planes
through the skylight in the roof
while the day darkened
until finally I threw the food
to the back yard dogs
and went to bed.
I know you don’t want to be reminded
of all that, and I’m sorry to bring it up.
I know you’ll probably recognize
my writing on the envelope and throw this card
straight into the bin without reading it.
Anyway.
I just wanted to say
Merry Christmas.
I still miss you.