Poetry
1 min
auld lang syne by Barbara Darby
Alexandra Writers Centre Society
I want to stay up! Let me stay up! he pleaded
cheeks rosy with fever, a dripping nose
the foreseeable result of Christmas
more presents from Santa than ever before,
more solicitous relatives,
candy canes and cookies,
late nights and noise
You won't be awake at midnight, she said
you're so tired
comfort-tucking him in
everyone meant well
as they joined together
trying to help him forget how sad he was
for a few hours at least
I'm so sad, he'd cry, so sad
too small for bigger words
She remembered how, years ago
when they were also young
they'd join with friends
set off fireworks on the old year's last night
smoke cigars
Later, when they were looking for security,
they lied outright to the insurance agent
I've never smoked
and he winked at them
Me neither
She remembered his face in silhouette
lit from behind by the December flowers
sky-bursting above them
blue and red and yellow and white
They saved the biggest and best for last,
tried to time them with midnight.
They shared a kiss.
Last year, he fell asleep on the couch amidst the revellers
and they awakened him to watch the fireworks
held him between them as they all looked into the brightened night
and tried to sing auld lang syne
no one knew the words, really
they just knew it was important to remember
She kissed her son and closed his door
crept downstairs to drink a cup of kindness
wondered if she'd make it to midnight
like every kid resolves to do
I'm so tired, so tired
sleep most nights eludes her
the other only things awake
the noises of unseen things under the bed
bumping in the dark against her loneliness
I'm so sad, she thought
and raised her glass in a toast to old times and love
she heard the fireworks outside the house
the neighbours eager to welcome in the year
making resolutions to remember old acquaintance
and she resolved to do the same
She made her way back upstairs
nestled against her son
under his warm quilt
and felt the comfort of his little, sleeping form
as he rolled into her alive with mumbled dreams
his father's son
---
Barbara Darby joined the Alexandra Writers' Centre Society (AWCS) in April 2024. Her poem, auld lang syne won the member-exclusive Many Voices Contest in April 2024.
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