Feeling a Sense of Loss

by JLR

Such images as this evoke a sense of loss
of times past of festive moods
and safe gatherings in the town square
where neighbors strolling,
were common to one and all.

The small shops were decorated with holiday
lights and baubles and beads, mothers with children
in tow picking out the just right items for stocking stuffers
soon to be hung over the crackling hearth.

A horse and sleigh with cheery bells ringing touring
around town, transporting warmly wrapped people
hither and yon.

The frozen pond turned over into an ice-skating rink
where young and old alike are lost in the joy of swiftly
sailing over frozen waters with clinking and tinkling sounds
of the blades skate, smoothly coursing over the ice.

My heart skips a beat remembering the acapella of basses
sopranos, altos, and tenors blending harmoniously, belting out
with great volume "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

Knowing soon that the festive evening
will turn over to the morning
and all will be one day closer to Christmas Day.

Yes, this scene - while the magic and invitation
in every possible descriptive manner shows such
the wonderment of joy and celebration ...

I feel the loss of days when times such as these
were possible because communities were safe,
homelessness was unknown; drugs were for medicinal
purposes, and moms and dads, brothers and sisters,

aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents

all sat around the Christmas table

in prayerful gratitude for the best gift of all, family!

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