Married at eighteen,

divorced at twenty

married again and, this time for as long as time would allow

which as it turned out, wasn't going to be very long.

 

That late night exiting of the club

when you suddenly coughed up blood into your hankie

before falling down dying into the rain pooled road

 

I didn't get to hear about it until a few days later

being on a backpacking holiday in a remote part of the world.

 

Christmas has arrived once more,

and like you would have done Mum, we dressed the house 

according to the occasion, only this time, fairy lights shone from every window.

 

On went your favourite Christmas songs L.P.

and down came the tears

under the tree went the gifts,and

 

into our hearts where it has always stayed,

the most wonderful gift of all, your love, forever.