For
December (1986)
Published in the "Golden Globe" (vol.
II, no. 12/December), official newsletter of the Senior Home Care Services-Boston
III, Inc.
The snow falls new upon December,
And along with our other expectations
We relive favorite memories.
The wreath on your door stares
at the wreath on my door;
Our lifestyles become traditional
And "I'll be home for Christmas."
It takes longer to get up the
stairs to the attic now,
But the neighbor boy Larry
helped me
To carry down my decoration
box--
Covered with eleven-month dust.
He laughed when I showed him
the 60-year-old shepherd
That my best girlfriend Annie
gave me one Christmas.
She lives only in my photo
albums now;
She always loved my mincemeat
pie.
The shepherd is made of brass
and needs polishing every year;
As I polish the shepherd I
think of Annie.
Larry is a pretend shepherd
in a play this December,
I gave him some sheets for
his costume.
December can create a silence
at night even in Boston,
The snow muffles the sounds
of autos.
I hear only the sounds of carolers
And distant trains.
I think every town tries to
remember Bethelehem
In an attempt at respectful
quiet.
I have celebrated many Decembers
and each has marked
My history like few other months.
Perhaps this year I'll finally
remember all of Joy to the World,
Perhaps I should have kept
a diary,
Perhaps I should be grateful,
A toast to all Decembers!
*****
The Poetry of Vonne Barnett
