Seasons Fleetings*

there was a time
when the holly and the pine
permeated my senses
with recollection and promise
that hope would warm the spirit
and all was well

there was a time
as a young man was dreaming
and the fruits of his labour
bore gifts and reward
enough to nourish the soul
and pass on to others

there was a time
when the sound of young voices
carried the room
on that cold winter morning
surrounded by ribbon and laughter
each searching under the green boughs

there was a time
as life carried on
that the needles started to dry and fall away
their scent a distant memory
no longer clinging to our clothes
reminding us that something changed

there was a time
that age and distance carried them away
each year their return
less frequent than before
a slow migration into themselves
leaving me alone

there was a time
when spoken words turned to texts
phone conversations turned to greeting cards
and even a once beating heart
found it difficult
to comprehend this reality

there was a time
when even the holly and the pine
could not relieve the broken heart
left from the slow decay
of who we once were together
now a distant shadow

there was a time
now that the branches have broken
and the needles lay dry beneath my feet
that the holly only serves
to draw my blood with its prick
with each attempt to decorate the mantle

there was a time
when even the brandy in my coffee
could not remove you from the memory
that i once held so dear
sitting among the gift wrap
awaiting your next smile

there was a time
and that time is today
that i will wait alone again
and hold you close in my heart
knowing you are gone
by your own choice poisoned

today i'll hold the holly and the pine
the sap sticking to my bloodied palms
and smile at what i made you
and cry at who you are
as i hang the wreath upon the door
waiting to greet you once more

* to Mallory, Timothy, and William