Yesterday with the tree planted in its stand,
the tinsel being all that was left to do,
and the Celtic music filling the room
with the richness of its Irish brogue,
we danced, father and daughter, a jig.
And as I reached up to drape the branches
in their silver shimmer and felt the pain
make its way across my arm and chest,
I knew the last thing I would say would be
I’m glad we danced.
Originally published in Pivot, No. 54. Summer 2002
© copyright 2004, 2008 the Grandpa at The Word Mechanic Blog
All rights reserved
Glad that's not the last thing you said...
ReplyDeleteSo am I, Ann. So am I. :0)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and melancholy, too.
ReplyDeleteOHH, that had to be scary. I too am glad that's not the last thing you had to say.
ReplyDeleteWhen was this exactly?
ReplyDeleteGrandpa, wow, You totally had me bawling like a baby.
ReplyDeleteA cathartic cry.
I will be missing my Daddy for the first time, this Christmas.
We have this Secret Santa tradition in our family. Last year my Dad had me. I was his last Secret Santa.
Thank you for your poem. I am glad you were here to share it.
Merry Christmas!
Peace and Good Health to you and you family.
Rene
Beautifully done. I wonder what my last thought will be? I hope it's something as meaningful as this.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)
A lovely image instantly made more poignient! Well done. Aloha-
ReplyDeleteSonone, the first Christmas back in New Hampshire.
ReplyDeleteRene, I don't know what to say. What a Beautiful comment. I'm sorry for your loss. And thankful you are sharing your feelings with the rest of us. I am finding so much of value in your posts. Thank you for commenting on my poem. It means a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Rene, I'm sure he said he was glad you danced.
ReplyDeleteYou too, Sandee. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteMahalo, Cloudia. Your comments really mean a lot to me. Aloha No, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWillow, thank you. Your comments mean a lot to me.
ReplyDeleteEric, it was scary. Sometimes that's where poems come from. Thanks for your good thoughs.
I can imagine that that was one of the most meaningful Christmas's for your family. No doubt the focus was on the truly important things!
ReplyDeleteI might be tearing up a little here. I'm getting married in a few days and I've been thinking about the dance too much.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem! You are very talented.
That's beautiful, Grandpa.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jen. Anytime we can focus on being with those we love I think is meaningful.
ReplyDeleteExpat, hi. I think it's impossible to think about the dance too much. It's the dance that actually matters. As Yeats said "Oh body swayed to music, O brightening glance,/How can we know the dancer from the dance?"
Thank you, Braja.
As the man said: It was a lovely way to go..
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Dave.
ReplyDeleteThat was tender. I cried. My Daddy died the last time he carried me in his arms to say goodbye. He died in a bus accident, returning from delivering my oldest sister's child in the barrio. I was seven years old.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Tasha
Tashabud, thanks so much for sharing that with us. Have a happy and peaceful holiday.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful poetry. Have a happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou have a happy Christmas, too, Rebecca, and thank you for your nice comment.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Reminded me of my dad too, who passed away almost 3 years ago. Love the image you put together.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. It's always nice to know how the poem and reader connect.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alyson.
ReplyDeleteThat was so touching...I rode a wave as I read. At first elated and then a hand over my mouth as I said, "Oh!" at the end. I quickly clicked on the comments to see if you were speaking of yourself and it appears you were! I'm so happy those WEREN'T your last words!
ReplyDelete