Tag Archives: family

Our tradition

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We like these woods the best in snow.

We’re brought here by the season though,

to cut our family Christmas tree.

Which one is right, the kids will know.

They run the rows, the better to see

atop which pine our star should be–

“It’s this one! This one! This one here!”

–until on one we all agree.

We linger in these woods so dear

to feel the warmth of Christmas cheer,

and then our silent oath declare

to this tradition we revere.

The woods feel like a living prayer,

but there’s a feast we must prepare,

…. and hours of love that we must share.

…. And hours of love that we must share.

The hunt

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The snow that hid between furrowed rows
collected somber whispers of early light
and lifted just enough of nighttime’s shroud
to make the going there a thing a man
could do.

……….. He stood a while, confused, unsure
of where to take a step.  “I’ve lost my way,”
He thought, “I’ve got to get a grip.”  He moved
his hands along the rifle stock to shift
the weight and ease the load.

…………………………….“I’m here.”
He heard his father’s voice again, still soft,
“I’m here.”

…………Then, from the gray, a form emerged
and walked ahead as if to lead the way.
He knew this form from years of watching it:
The heavy shoulders and hunting coat of red
and black; the heavy boots that marked a gait
as sure as it was long; the easy smile;
the eyes of welcome warmth; the air of grace.

“I’m lost,” he said aloud.  “And I’m afraid.”

The form, familiar, stood atop a rise
and turned to him.  “You’re where you’re meant to be.
You’re mine: You’re strong. We’ll hunt this land for years
to come. I’m just across this other side,
down out of sight, but you’ll still know I’m here.
You stay. Hunt here for now. And when time comes,
you follow me.”

……………..The sunlight broke the crest
as he watched his father slowly walk away

The snow that hid between furrowed rows
collected somber whispers of early light
and lifted just enough of nighttime’s shroud
to make the going there a thing a man
could do.

……….. He stood a while, confused, unsure
of where to take a step.  “I’ve lost my way,”
He thought, “I’ve got to get a grip.”  He moved
his hands along the rifle stock to shift
the weight and ease the load.

…………………………….“I’m here.”
He heard his father’s voice again, still soft,
“I’m here.”

…………Then, from the gray, a form emerged
and walked ahead as if to lead the way.
He knew this form from years of watching it:
The heavy shoulders and hunting coat of red
and black; the heavy boots that marked a gait
as sure as it was long; the easy smile;
the eyes of welcome warmth; the air of grace.

“I’m lost,” he said aloud.  “And I’m afraid.”

The form, familiar, stood atop a rise
and turned to him.  “You’re where you’re meant to be.
You’re mine: You’re strong. We’ll hunt this land for years
to come. I’m just across this other side,
down out of sight, but you’ll still know I’m here.
You stay. Hunt here for now. Ansd when time comes,
you follow me.”

……………..The sunlight broke the crest
as he watched his father slowly walk away.

Thanksgiving Day

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Beyond the steam that gently hung above

the plates of mashed potatoes, yams and corn,

she saw her mother’s face.  The misty veil

could not disguise the sorrow in her eyes

or hide the pain that creased her lips

and set her jaw in rigid, stoic lines.

….

She whispered, “Mom” and reached to touch

her hand.  “Are you OK?”

……………………………. A tired smile

came slowly in reply, then nothing more.

……

She took the plate of turkey, passed it through

the steam toward her mother’s empty dish.

She held the offer longer than she thought

she should, then put it down and looked around

the table: all of them were watching her.

Her children looked away.  Her sister wiped

a tear.  Her husband held her gaze – his way,

she knew, to give her strength.  But no one ate.

…..

Her mother said, “It isn’t right,” and turned

toward an empty chair as if to ask

for help remembering the thing that still

was missing – caught herself and shook her head.

…..

She thought she heard her mother sigh, and took

her hand again.  “What is it, Mom?  What’s wrong?”

She drew her breath in hard and asked,

“Is it because he’s gone?”

………..

……………………………. Her mother smiled.

“Oh no – he’s never gone.”  She smiled again

and said,  “He loved this day the best.  And how

he loved this meal!”  She stopped to scan the food

as if to find the thing she thought astray.

……

She caught her mother’s glance.  “Everything is here.

You’ve made it just the way he liked it, Mom.

Now can we eat?  It is what Dad would want.”

…..

“No, wait!”  Her husband stood and pushed his chair.

“I think I know the missing piece.  Hang on.”

He walked into the living room — a pause –

then came the call:  “The Lions have the ball.”

He sat again and, with a wink, he said,

“The game was always on.  Please pass the rolls.”

….

Her mother stood and moved toward the door.

She turned, came slowly back, then leaned to kiss

his head.  “I s’pose –” she stopped, then laughed and said,

“you know, I s’pose they’ll lose again this year.”