THE
CHRISTMAS DISPLAY
I am a wisp of promise shifted from hand to pocket on a
paper pass with stiff cold leaves cracking under shuffling feet looking for
shelter. I am the frozen spots of blood leaked from cracked feet left in stains
in frost topped snow trails traversing city streets from full shelter to full
shelter, looking for a place of warmth in the wilds of a bitter night. I am the
festive light unseen. I am a man deciding it is time to rest, tired from
trekking across the city I sit against a tree to nap; never to wake in cold again.
Never to be moved along by a badge and a stick to not be
seen where the party people go for light shows and dreams of children riding on
sleighs piled high with presents for all. I am frozen humanity that would have
been grateful enough to have been counted naughty enough to receive a lump of
heat giving lifesaving coal.
There is no promise for them counted helpless except in
death, I should have had a job, I should have been able to find my way to
comfort it is not that hard. Leave me
be, the wisp of promise my parents gave the world when they birthed me, stuck
sitting crucified dead frozen to this tree for an example for all to see until
the world thaws around me.
I only am an ornament, a temporary decoration on a dying tree, hung for a
bit then tucked away safely in a box marked "eternity."
© M Durfee
12.16.2013
oh god mark. you nailed this one. the images, the metaphors, the stark reality of this is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeletewhy does humankind not learn? why does technology so advance but not the human heart?
with love to you, my friend
kj
Incredibly sad, and powerful. makes one think about the things that many of us complain about.
ReplyDeletea temporary decoration on a dying tree...
ReplyDeleteonly an ornament...
so sad...i really like the rather declarative beginning of who 'I AM' and of course nice word play in that as well...smiles.
My family and I where moved along man a time by :badge and stick" ... and it's happening today ... as it will in the future ... proud to be gypsy ... smiles ...
ReplyDelete... many, I meant to say ... :(
ReplyDeleteAren't we all? Perhaps the most sadness comes from that lost wisp of promise of a new baby...
ReplyDeleteHeart wrenching words.
ReplyDeleteapt, agonizing-
ReplyDeleteALOHA to YOU
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3
I can sympathize ... there is a real bad batch of crack out there right now ... working hard to save some souls ... merry x-mas ... feel like running ... let's go on that world trip (bucket list # 13) ... mmmh, let's see ... how many worlds are there to travel to ...
ReplyDeleteMark-teary. Makes me realize how profoundly blessed I am. xo
ReplyDeleteI think I will simply let this one speak to you as it does.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you not only tugged my heartstrings, Mark, but you tore them up with this tender and beautiful writing.
ReplyDelete