Muse for Monday

The time of year has come when cards are the standard fare in the letter box. Some of them are what we expect: glittery, shiny, cheerful tidings of holiday merriment. Then, there is the card Mantra sent.

Mantra PurpleLike Clyde, Mantra is not so convinced of the happiness, goodwill and joy spread at the holidays, as all too often it is dismissed before the wrapping paper evidence is stowed in the bin.

Like most muses, she is more interested in the integrious portions of our interactions. She has crafted a card sure to be rejected by Hallmark, despite its meter.

Aptly titled A Card, we realize it could have been delivered at Valentine’s Day, Arbor Day or any other made up occasion where we exchange cards. It could have come on any random Tuesday. It just so happens, this one is delivered on a Monday before the end of the year.

A Card

I picked up an envelope today.
I recognized the handwriting.
It made me smile before I opened it.
The stock was cool to the touch.
It reminded me of you.

envelopeGently embossed and velvety soft,
I knew the message would be lovely.
I opened it nestled in my other hand.
The words inside touched me
Because they were from you.

“It has been a very long year,
But it is coming to a close.
I’ve learned a lot about me
Through the things I chose.

Although in all of them
Your counsel was needed
And offered only when asked.
Now, I wish I had heeded.

You’d have kept me from heartache
And pain I brought upon myself again.
I saw it in your eyes every time
You watched me bang my shin

On furniture I had rearranged.
Never did the words cross your lips,
But you would’ve been right to say
I was a dolt for any of my slips.

If I had had the sense to ask you
For the advice you had on offer,
Today would not have had to been
One I will not spend with another.

Being alone is the price I deserve to pay
For all the times I wasn’t there.
You deserve better, someone who
Will always show love and care.

One day, I hope, I will come to you
And ask for something you never took:
Your friendship. You willingly gave it
Even when the ground beneath me shook

Until my fear was all that was left.
I cowered away from who you are.
Even though I love your soul,
I couldn’t compete with a star.

A light shines from you,
Breaking the dark’s spine.
I wasn’t ready to bask my flaws,
But, maybe, with enough time

I will find the forgiveness place
Where I can let the fear go.
When I do, I will come to you;
I really should let you know

I shed the carapace, which
Has weighed me down;
Stopped listening to the whispers,
With their judgmental sounds;

Gave up doing things the way
Only I know how, because
There is a better way than mine.
I will beg you to pause

From your causes and missions
To give me the moment I never
Spared for you, in my folly.
I wish we could be together.”

Your name is scrawled beneath
The crooked heart I have come
To associate with you.

I close the card and put it back
In the envelope for safe keeping.
It will remind me of you

When the months roll past
Without the slightest word
Uttered from you.

They will be much like now
When I am nearby,
But an ocean away from you.

Perhaps, that day will come
When you do appear and show
You became the best you.

The one I always knew.
The one I always loved.
The real you.

231220121835

~~~~~~~~~~


Have you ever gotten a letter explaining a break up with a friend or Mate? Are you one who holds your advice until bidden? What is the card you have gotten with the best handwritten contents (IOW, do not answer “one with a check”)?

Hashtags: #poetry, #relationships

HCmas2012

Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours.

© Red Dwyer 2012
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35 Comments

  1. MERRY CHRISTMAS
    Joyeux Noël, Red!!
    🙂
    xxx
    dontchawannadream recently posted..Yankee Swap – Merry Christmas!!!My Profile

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  2. Merry Christmas to you and your tribe. … and thanks for the poem.
    Frank recently posted..On Gifts 2012My Profile

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  3. Merry Christmas, Red and family – have a great time! 😀
    Tom recently posted..Christmas 2012My Profile

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  4. There is much sadness in this poem my great friend, it speaks more than many can see and yet in between the lines there is clarity…

    I wish you a sweet and happy family Christmas my dear Red and lots of wonderful times, I know that once your children begin opening their Christmas presents that the smiles will broaden even the most melancholy moment… You deserve the best Red and one day your dreams will be realised once again 🙂 🙂 Merry Christmas Red 😉

    Andro xxx

    Reply
    • Aye, there is sadness in this one. I hope you enjoy your Christmas Eve and have a bright Christmas morn, my dear friend. xxx

      Reply
      • It has been rather nice Red, thank you 🙂
        Now it is time for my film, and of course
        a Stella or red wine to compliment it 🙂 lol

        Enjoy your games Red, I always do 😉 🙂

        Andro xxx

        Reply
  5. I think we often don’t take the advice that’s offered or available to us. Usually only time proves to us its worth.

    Merry Christmas Red, to you and your family.
    Binky recently posted..Wombie Christmas 2012My Profile

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    • I think you are quite right. It reaffirms the adage Hindsight is 20/20. Happy Christmas, Peter. May your holiday be bright and warm.

      Reply
  6. You will be happy to know that the other day I got a troll email telling me I was wrong about my factual basis of a cartoon. I feel loved
    Bearman recently posted..Australian Taxi Cab DriversMy Profile

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    • Oh, how utterly fabulous! Aren’t hatemailers the gift that keeps on giving? ROFL! Happy Christmas, Bearman.

      Reply
  7. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Red! And the happiest of New Years as well! 🙂
    spilledinkguy recently posted..Christmas…My Profile

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  8. It’s the season to be jolly ….
    Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family Red. May the day bring you happiness and laughter xxxx
    frigginloon recently posted..Bah, humbug!My Profile

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  9. This season is full of sadness and regret for some, but also joy and sharing, enlightment and pleasure. Your poem captures sadness but also hope, pleasure and self-discovery.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Red.
    Tess Kann recently posted..M–E–R–R–Y Christmas!My Profile

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    • We all need to have hope. A joyous Christmas to you, Tess. Kiss those little ones tomorrow. <3

      Reply
  10. Such a sad but sweet state Mantra has left me in with her special words, in gentle solemnity…

    Wishing all and everyone sweet and warm holidays and many thereafter, with love and peace and joy bringing the light!!

    🙂
    BuddhaKat recently posted..EARLY – Thursday’s edition of the FridayFractalFeature…My Profile

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