Hello, friends!
Cannot tell you how many versions of a Christmas poem I tried to pen this year. All to no avail.
With the sudden loss of my mom in November, and the even more sudden loss of my 55yo cousin (and dear friend) a few weeks ago, I am sure you will forgive me if I am not exactly feeling the Christmas sprit this year.
That said, I am madly in love with this little wintry poem. Not much to it, but hopefully it speaks volumes to you, as it did to me.
Feel free to share your thoughts/feelings with me in the Comments section below… or on Twitter or Facebook.
Wishing you and your families a peaceful and happy holidays!
-PS Conway ☘ ☘ ☘

☘ ☘ ☘ ☘ ☘
in the firn
the ancient oak, vast shoulders slunched,
grouses deep, burdened by the weight
of time
of memory
of snowfall
pens a journal evanescent
etched by branchly tendrils in the firn
all it has learned, a circle pure,
etched round
and round
and round
recalls the fae, their love for the forest,
remembers the Christ, who died on a tree.
I’m so sorry for your losses. I lost my father and sister several years ago, both around the holidays, so I can understand some of how you’re feeling. I offer you some extra love and light. Do whatever brings you comfort in the days ahead. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you so much, Emily. Really appreciate the kindness in your words! Cheers ❄️🙏🍷🌹
I hear you. I spent most of 2021 watching a friend’s husband slip away from cancer. He passed on Tuesday. My condolences for your losses.
Right back at you, Erin. So sorry to hear about your friend’s husband. 🎄🙏🍷❄️
The weight of the deep snow hanging on the tree reminds me of time slowing down when you are in mourning. Everything feels unmoveable, especially ourselves when we are grieving.
So sorry for your losses, P.S.! This is a beautifully written poem with strong visual imagery. “…vast shoulders slunched, grouses deep, burdened by the weight of time, of memory of snowfall.” The greatest burden of all for that tree being the burden of bearing the weight of the Lord Jesus Christ. Breathtaking!
Thanks so much, PS. Hope you had a beautiful Christmas! 🙏🎄❄️🍷
Bless you, my friend! The way the snow hangs on tree branches, grief, in the same way, weighs us down, however, in time, the weight feels a tiny bit less.
Hugs and positive vibes to you, Pat!
Thanks, Elena, for your beautiful words of empathy and friendship. So appreciated. 🍷❄️🎄🙏
Beautiful poem
Says so much in so few sentences
Imagery vivid
Love the memory of Christ on the tree
That sacrificial wound the tree remembers
Memory, deep memories imbue this poem
Sorry for your losses
Blessings
Writing is such a wonderful tool in grief and connecting globally
Oh, Patricia – you made my day! Thanks so much for the kind words and the insightful comments. So very appreciated! 💕❄️🙏🌹
A beautiful poem. I like that the tree recalls fairies (fictional beings) and Jesus (the fully human, fully God historically proven Son of man). The tree is the writer. It has an imagination and a soul.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! 🙏🍷❄️💙