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The Ghost of Christmas Passed

Twas the night before Christmas

When starlessĀ darkness held the night

With howling wind and sleet;

All through the house was ne'er a light

Dark, and a door that creaked

And despite the fire, twas cold as snow

Only the low fire flicker

Could lend the room a ghostly glow

And light the undecked tree.

I crept towards the bottom stair

Mouse-still and watching

A creak, a silent shift of icy air

As a presence passed me by -

He stumbled 'neath his heavy load

But saw what we had left him

He drank, and then I thought he slowed

And tears on his wrinkled cheeks

Slipped cold; I think his mind was on the past:

How many years, quoth he, and drank

Sinking into the sofa, benumbed at last

His task forgot, still sinking...

Sinking - until all that I could mark

Was his hand

Reaching up towards the dark

Not waving

But

Craving

Peace

ChristmascoldcouchcushionsdrowningFather ChristmasghostsicenightsnowsofaXmas

◄ The Siren

And so this is eX Ministerial Accord Season ►

Comments

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Tom Harding

Sun 16th Dec 2018 12:25

Lovely Christmas atmosphere

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Taylor Crowshaw

Sat 15th Dec 2018 09:44

Absolutely fantastic Chris...I can imagine reading this to my grandchildren sat before an open fire...it's a keeper. Thank you for sharing...?

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 14th Dec 2018 20:29

The theme is well taken.
Unfortunately, Santa is not a known presence in the lands that need
peace the most.

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jennifer Malden

Fri 14th Dec 2018 17:53

Wow! Fantastic - liked the last two lines as ending!

Jennifer

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