General Poetry posted December 21, 2023

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A Heavenly Visitor

by papa55mike

it's almost midnight

on Christmas Eve

the highway is quiet

no dogs are yapping

while lying in bed

I notice

the twinkling lights

of our Christmas tree

flickering across the many

Santas on our shelves

they create a ballet of light

reflecting along the walls

in a myriad of colors

for a moment

my grief is lifted

love fills my heart with

memories of past holidays

seeing again

the smiles of my loved ones

on Christmas day

we will celebrate

tomorrow, minus one

my eyes slowly close

when I hear a giggle,

there, a radiant figure

walks around the big tree

touching her favorite ornaments

I know this figure

but now, there is much more

her broken body is gone

replaced by a glorious one

reddish blonde curls

cascade down her shoulders

Shynoa's body and garments

are a radiant white

two small wings

are forming on her back

she turns from the tree

to study her pictures

on the wall

quietly, I rise from the bed

to stand at the door

she turns back to the Santas

caressing each one

then stops at a tapestry

of the Nativity

to give baby Jesus a kiss

she finds the other shelves

filled with more Kris Kringles

her face turns

to the little tree

filled with her ornaments

she made during her school years

I walk into the room

sit on the arm of the couch

Shynoa picks up a snowflake ornament

with her picture in the center

then clutches it to her chest

I'm unable to hold

my tears any longer

with a sob, I wipe my eyes

this vision of loveliness

turns to me

with those green eyes glowing

her little button-nose wrinkled

and that precious smile

I see the woman

she should've been

my heart fills with joy

as she stands before me

a radiant hand embraces my cheek

she says the words

I've longed to hear

"I love you, Papa."

we embrace

slowly, I wake on the couch

when the sun first peers

through our frosty windows

it must be Christmas morn

was it a dream

or just my grief

slowly, I open my fist

to find two perfect white feathers

in the palm of my hand

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Christmas Poetry contest entry

Recognized

I wrote this poem for the many people celebrating this Christmas while mourning the loss of someone special. On October 20th of this year, we lost our beloved 22-year-old granddaughter, Shynoa. Exactly two weeks later, our dear friends, Blair and Skylar Sage, lost their 6-year-old son, Atticus. We are all still struggling with these losses.

It was a tough decision whether to decorate our Christmas room this year. But I felt determined to have a great Christmas. Shynoa would have wanted us to. So, with little Randi's help, the Christmas room is open for business.

Please take a moment to pray for all those who are grieving this season and reach out with a caring hand. They have a large hole in their heart yet to be filled.

Have a great day, and Merry Christmas!
mike

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Please read the Author's Notes first.

A Heavenly Visitor

by papa55mike

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