Nativity 2017

You will abide within me all through this season

that brought brightest luster to those treasures

of humanity and matter that you loved most.

 

I see your Christmas vest and skirt, your pins and

jewelry shaped in wreathes and candy canes, your

reclining Santa, your exquisite ornaments from

a world traversed widely with your beloved.

 

I bask in your smile, rejoice in your laughter rising

to match the enthusiastic peal of your mother,

as family arrived amidst hugs and banter, the time for

“having the tree” on Christmas Eve drawing near.

 

I see, smell, taste, the lovingly prepared tender turkey,

renowned dressing, oyster gravy;  the cranberry sauce,

pineapple and marshmallow salad, celery, carrot sticks.

 

You appear before me now, aglow with the transcendent

joy you felt in December 1994, when all of those whom

you loved most in the world gathered under your roof to

celebrate the season and honor the centenary of the radiant

woman of joy for whom Christmas seemed devised.

 

Deep in my heart, embedded eternally, abiding immortally,

throbs that special gift you gave to me each Christmas, that

gift you presented anew each day of my life, the only gift

that matters, the reason for our being and the season, the

 

 

Gift

 

of

 

LOVE

 

 

GMD

Christmas 2017

As most of you will recognize, I wrote this verse in honor of my mom, Betty Geer Davison (16 July 1921- 16 September 2017).

I wish all of you abundant joy with your families during Christmas and Hanukkah 2017, celebrations from other traditions, and for everybody all good fortune in New Year 2018.