Picture on the Wall

The aroma of the turkey

Fills Grandma Sue’s tiny kitchen

As we gather around, hand in hand

To pray

I open my hand

Palm upward, fingers spread

Hoping that you would interlock your fingers in mine

Not this Christmas

Not next Christmas, nor the next

That empty chair stares at me

The chair where you used to be

We open gifts around the tree

Crammed in Grandma Sue’ living room

She’s got nick nacs galore

You used to comment:

“You got more decorations than the stores!”

You’re not here

This Christmas

Not next Christmas, nor the next

Grandma Sue has a picture of you

Hanging on her wall

That’s what you are now

A memory

Cherished times