First came the exchange of words,
the exchange of well-wishing,
the exchange of fair mind.
"Merry Christmas!" We said,
happily and cheerfully,
sadness not in mind.
"Merry Christmas!" I said,
gleefully and naively,
not knowing the pain to come.
"Merry Christmas." You said,
a smile at your lips,
secret tears from your eyes slip.
Then came the exchange of gifts,
the exchange of one's thoughts,
the exchange of one's values.
To each other we exchanged small gifts,
small treasures to hold,
small treats to eat.
To me you gave me a scarf,
a warm sparkle at your lips and eyes,
your hands warm as they wrapped me in them.
To you I gave a pair of gloves,
to warm your cold hands,
my eyes sparkling as you put them on.
Then came the exchange of memories,
the exchange of immortality,
the exchange of time.
We all laughed and smiled,
a good time to live,
an event to hold dear.
I held your hand,
you held mine,
the exchange of our warmth stuck deep in my mind.
You squeezed my hand,
when I looked up,
your tears were long gone.
Little did I know,
in the future, this Christmas,
I would be alone and sad.
I touch the crinkled photo,
so precious and dear,
holding deep memories.
I touch it and cry,
holding the scarf you've given me,
holding the memories so dear.
I hold your gloves in my hand,
rest my head on the stone,
and then I sob.
"Merry Christmas." I sob,
sinking deeper into the ground,
your stone giving me the cold reminder of your leaving.