Empty Slippers

Presents unopened under an unlit tree
wrapped with love, crinkled paper and tape
Tags of snowmen with orange noses and black hats,
a Christmas attire appropriate for the occasion.
A pair of empty slippers by the fireside
A family of heavy hearts at a joyous time.

Presents opened on the floor of the family home
rich smells of a baking oven of treats to come
the table set for all, and all set for the table
Kids playing, crumpled paper and tape all around,
discarded tags of Santa with jolly smile,
a suitable family Christmas attire.

A time for the young, with happiness wrapped in glitter and ribbon.
A time for the rest to remember, to be happy and sad, together and alone,
lightened only by fond memories of a life moved on.
Raise a glass for what has been and what will come again
and believe with all your soul, a toast of 'au revoir'.

A family gathered in a quiet green yard in January
black statues moved but not moving stand
stiller than the grey stones surrounding.
A gentle rain falling on the tear dampened grass
a single loved one without umbrella
The patter of the rain dulling the echoes of falling earth on wood.

Let go of your grief, do not dwell
on the things you have lost,
for each that goes leaves many in their wake,
a time to hold on to those who love and be loved,
a time to be apart and a time to know
that in the end, we will all be together again