HOLIDAY DEATH

DUELING HOLIDAYS

Today is the day

            when ghosts and goblins play

            porch lights shine

            rivers of candy flow

Sadness lingers throughout

            redness and water cloud the eyes

            family and friends sit stunned

            questions overpower the candy

Thirty four years ago on a

            cold Christmas morn

            we gazed at your smile

            dreamed of the future

Over the years we learned to

            listen to your words

            watched as you grew into a man,

            husband and father

You wore the uniform of

            a country you loved so much

            your flag flew high

            patriotism brought you to your knees

You married the love

            of your life, on that warm

            Fourth of July, promising

            to be forever present

Your son shines your smile and

            wonders why, you won’t be there

            to play your goblin tricks

            when they ask for treats

Today is the day when

            darkness came before the sun

            set in this small country town

            you loved so much

You came to earth on

            such a joyous day

            but you left on the

            day of ghosts and goblins

You were a child of the holidays

            Christmas is joyous no more

            life without you is so hard

            you are forever with your father

The memories you left behind

            are all I have –

            the smiles, laughs, jokes and pranks

            but mostly the love we shared

Holidays will duel again this year, and

            will bring back the memories

            of a son who shines brightly

            in the heavens looking down