Tear
down
the
once loved tree
its
crooked branches
webbed
and dusty.
Stow
away memories
of
a happier time
when
it was shared
on
joyous occasions.
Replace
the shimmer
with
iridescent tarnish
as
a thousand sands
of
sparkle fall
to
be swept and tossed
out
in the trash,
with
tinsel rusted from tears.
Silence
heavenly voices
angels
from on high,
their
chorus screams
from
the strangulation
of
serrated ribbons
which
hung glass ornaments
collected
with care
through
the years.
Toss
tins of cookies,
mouldy
cherries
and
rancid nuts,
leftovers
from baskets
fermenting
in the fridge,
sacrifice
to the composter
and
wait for decomposition
when
worms awake.
Salvage
paper wishes
of
love and good cheer
to
be stored in the box,
held
and reread next year,
when
the good wishes
be
faded as the ink, or be
flicked
off by curled edges
on
aged parchment.
Wrap
me in your arms
confirm
to me there will be
better
days, more warmth,
happiness
and peace.
If
not there will be another
time,
perhaps another year,
as it
remains to be.
