Poems

A Grieving Christmas

People are saying, “The Babe has come!”
But my baby’s gone.
People are celebrating new parents,
But my parents are gone.
People are saying “Merry” and “Joyful”,
But my heart is heavy.
I do not belong here.

But yes, my friend, you belong.
You belong with Mary, who will lose her Son.
You belong with the Little Drummer Boy,
Orphaned and yet welcome.
You belong with those who are merry,
Even though you are not.

They need you
Just as you need them,
Because Christmas is sadness AND joy.
Darkness AND light.
It is the festival of change,
When the darkness of winter
Turns to the light of summer,
And when the heat of summer
Turns toward the blessed coolness of winter.

Your grief belongs
Just as their joy does.
Come — and make our table complete.

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© Dadirri Life Melodies 2021