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Susan K. Rowse

Memories at Christmas

Yep ...well its Christmas and time for reflection
The laughter of kids and grown up transgressions
Heartaches and beginnings some old and some new
Tears wept a plenty with lost ones we knew
Their spirit redeems in music and soul
They call out each Christmas I'm still warm...not cold
I lie here inside you with my smile you keep
The memory of together...my eyes never weep
I live in the good and great things remembered
I adapt to your living in days of our kindred
Closeness of hearts and smiles full of cheer
I give it all back this time of the year
I sparkle in your eyes...I live in your song
I smile through your cheeks...I'm really not gone
I'm in these children their laughter for sweets
I speak in the spirit of families that keep
The gone in hearts and remembered souls
The spirit of Christmas is all of the old
The new and the spent that somehow redeem
Visuals to keep our memories keen
Treasures of smiles wrapped in feathered wings
Dads, Moms and Friends with angels that sing
Cold is a word not meant for our hearts
When warm thoughts echo the missed eager starts
For gone isn't gone when the spirit is near
At Christmas the nuzzle of gone ones are here
They love all the families and smiles of the season
We cry for their image but know that the reason
To do so is selfish and they are at rest
We carry their hearts and hold them at best
To give up and say they are gone is not just
For memories are memories at Christmas we trust
Will bring closer to us those that we miss
While Yuletide greetings echo their kiss.

Written in memory of my father Lloyd and his twin Floyd...together this Christmas