I dreamt of Richard and a malfunctioning autocorrect on his iPad and woke up with my face streaked with tears of laughter. Then, of course, I realised Richard was not here any more and the tears began again.
The lights on the tree, white and golden
The lights on the tree, white and golden, sparked into life. People clapped and cheered. Like the real stars above, the lights would focus hopes, thoughts and dreams for the next month.
Jim took Kasia’s hand and half knelt in the snow. Yes, she said. Not only for new year. Forever.
First day back in the office
First day back in the office. Drifts of unwanted high-calorie gifts pile up in the kitchen. A thin Mexican wave of coughing sweeps across the open-plan office; when it reaches the meeting room door there is an expectant silence as people wonder if it will gain admittance. A second or two later than expected, they hear that it has. People smile quietly and drop tissues in the bin. Darren is still wearing his antlers.
Christmas was great
The red star on the topmost branch is dangling a little off centre. Jon is sprawled on the rug in front of the dead fire, his head on a pillow of DVDs, his feet in a pile of chocolate wrappers. A light-up plastic penguin is peering down its beak at him.
Christmas was great, he says to himself. Christmas was great.
The first morning of the new year
It’s the first morning of the new year though it’s not yet light. The fireworks have melted away the last of the snow on the hills; the horizon is unsure. A car passed an hour or so ago I think; no human voices yet this year. May we all have strength.
Though you are not here
Though you are not here
the breeze which once you breathed
ruffles my hair
and stirs my blood
In her eyes
In her eyes, flames.
I looked behind me. No fire, no low sun breaking the horizon.
I turned back.
The flames were deep within her, no longer hidden.
My breath caught.
Walls will fall
Walls will fall, never to be rebuilt.
Bridges may fall and crumble to dust
but hope will always
always
find a way
Midwinter
blinding agony
light
screams of pain
cries of joy
tears flow as his destiny is known
contemplation
resignation
love
Winter solstice
The year is halfway through or at an extreme, the long-shadowing sun tilted low. Times of change and times for change. Revolution.
simonsalento 