In the bed, she lay

So tired & so frail

Like the room itself

So colourless & pale

 

At least, through the window

She could see the snowflakes dance

Falling in a serenade

To a winter's night romance

 

Her bed sores burned like hell

In this purgatory of self

A forgotten thing called living

Lay dormant on its shelf

 

But the snow fell so dreamlike

And whispered in her ear

'Tis the season to be jolly

Cast away such morbid fear!'

 

And a gentle chill did nip her nose

And holly crowned her hair

And, suddenly, she was twirling

Like the snowflakes through the air

 

And carols of old, & Christmas cheer

Filled her soul with joy

And in her hand she was to find

Her favourite long lost toy

 

A rabbit, with such sparkly eyes

She'd lost so long ago

And, yet, it found its way back home

How? She did not know!

 

So, off they went, down the hall

For giggles, hugs, & fun

Ruffling the hair of a passing nurse

To see how fast she'd run!

 

They passed the dull, old Christmas tree

And made it shine much brighter

And all who passed in sad refrain

Felt burdens get much lighter

 

Then, out into the snowy street

A street of long ago

When children sang outside of doors

With rosy cheeks aglow

 

Pennies thrown for sugary treats

From jars filled with colour

Mouths agape, like hungry birds

Gulping one after the other!

 

This street she knew so well

Where she grew up as a girl

The cosy glow of coal lit fires

Causing memories to unfurl

 

She felt the warmth of hugs forgotten

Of smiles through embers of time

Her Mother singing Silent Night

And Christmas smells divine

 

Roasted meats, and cinnamon treats

Hot chocolate in a cup

Mulled wine poured in a fancy glass

Ready to sneak a sup

 

Now, standing at her old front door

Rabbit hugged to chest

Some trepidation had crept in

But it was always for the best

 

In she stepped, amid the cheers

As Father came to greet

His warming smile, like joy itself

A wonderful Christmas treat!

 

'It's been a while, our beautiful girl'

He said with love & laughter

' Oh! What a party this will be

Here in the great hereafter! '

 

                     ***

Next day the carers stripped a bed

Where once a woman lay

And when they pulled the final sheet

A rabbit had come to stay!

 

They scratched their heads in disbelief

As a poorly girl stood by

"Dya wanna come with me," she said

And it winked a sparkly eye...