Not everyone is filled with cheer on the holidays. I just wanted to take time to honor that part of the holiday too, the part that touches those tender spots in our hearts. Here is my attempt at expressing that experience. I send hugs to all those who are grieving and lonely this Christmas.
A CHRISTMAS TEAR
A tear ran down her cheek
Red patches decorated her face
From rubbing and sobbing
These decorations we often avoid
On holidays and anniversaries
When in fact every tear is a
baptizing of our love
And every rub an effort to hug those
we can no longer touch
Grief is a part of the holidays too
A time when those we have loved so
deeply and so long
Are more clearly missing from the
family gathering
The stark reminder catches our
breath
We can no longer ignore what the
hearts wants
So we let go a tear or two or fifty
Breathe deeply into that place in
our lungs
Our voice offering “I miss you so
much”
Our soul relieved to speak the truth
in love
Honoring the whole holiday
Not just the cakes and candles and
music
But the quiet, dark, sweetness of
our grief and longing
And in that moment, we are finally
able to light the candle
And let the gift of this
relationship still hold us
Allowing the sacredness of this
moment to be enough
December 25, 2022
Jules Bonde
