Four Christmas Trees
There used to be one, put up with great ceremony with Christmas music playing in Mervyn Road. The old decorations were taken out of the box and each daughter jostled to add them to just the right place. Once it was all done, tethered to the windows, the star put on the top, we took a photo of the four sisters smiling, laughing, looking their best.
We took down the tree that watched over our grief all those years ago, packed it all away, but look what has become of it........
Now there are four trees, four families, four traditions created.
Bright lights, shiny baubles, home-made decorations are multiplied, dancing.
Can we still enjoy Christmas Mum? - of course we can
All this life and joy.
The blanket by Gillian Phillips
I love this piece of cloth.
It has been with me for many years-
Given me warmth on cold damp nights
Caught tightly around my shoulders
Given me comfort when I have felt lonely
When the noise and demands of life have been so great.
I know it well – that burn in the corner
from the camp fire last year
That worn part from where I tie it tight
And soft matted where it strokes my cheek.
This piece of cloth has almost become part of me,
part of who I am.
And yet, yesterday, I let go.
I saw another need
No, not need. That beast didn’t need
a carpet to walk on
And that man didn’t need
a donkey to ride on.
But at that moment, on the road going down to the city
I had a purpose
To provide honour for this procession
I could take part.
I untied the blanket from my shoulders
And with a glorious flourish, let it swing round
And fall wide on that dusty ground
And as I watched that man ride on
He caught my eye, nodded, smiled.
That part of me became part of that royal procession
All around there were shouts ,
Some grabbed branches. There was
Exultation, joy.
But for me the joy was quiet inside, quiet underneath.
It took me a while afterwards to find the blanket
It had been kicked away as the crowd passed
It is torn now, stained, thinner.
And more, so mucn more precious
It made a way for the King;
I made a way for the King.