Red velvet bows
Ribbons of pearls in neat draping rows
Ivory Angel atop boughs of deep green
Sprigs of Mistletoe tucked in between
Bright papered packages nestled below
Tiny white lights that twinkle like snow
Silver and red ornaments hung
Next to sugar canes meant for the young
A beautiful, heartwarming sight
To watch . . . as my tears fall all through the night
Those boxes are empty, the candy canes are not real
Everything’s plastic, even the way that I feel
Behind all the smiling, beneath the sweet trap
Lies a river of pain that runs deep and black
Glittery music and great smells fill the air
Only to hide past years of despair
Years filled with secrets and memories to keep
Far from the little ones we read to sleep
The vows that were spoken
Then so easily broken
“Trust”, “Honor”, Commitment to try”
Words with no meaning . . . believing the lie
Year after year
Tear after tear
“Just a little while longer,
Our love will grow stronger”
It was a beautiful thought to hold through the night
It was beautiful . . . It’s now clear out of sight
Alone on this river, both deep and black
Waiting for little ones, grown now, to come back
Looking for someone standing on shore
To hold out a lantern of caring once more
Maybe next year the boxes I’ll fill
Maybe next year the candy canes will be real
Maybe next year . . .The sunshine will rain
On that dark river, so brightly . . . I’ll not feel the pain
. . . Maybe next year.
Copyrighted 1991 by me under a pen name
The story behind Red Velvet Blues is here.
lorrie ramsey said:
Hi – i love this poem, i feel your pain and her’s. love you
livingonthepotterswheel said:
Thanks Lorrie! Your comment means a great deal. Love you too!