the picture on the mantle
by rhiannon macgregor

The picture on the mantle now long faded into gold
Bears an image of a couple in their youth and now grown old
And above this faded portrait stands a candle all aglow
Casting shadows on the picture on the mantle just below.

And in the hearth beneath burns a fire both bright and warm
Which illuminates the room and reveals it's homey charm.
In the corner by the hearth stands a Christmas tree aglow
Set against the foggy window panes now covered up with snow.

By the tree a rocking chair sits empty but for quilts
And from outside the carolers sweet music softly lilts.
The tree has many presents tucked beneath it's spreading boughs.
Though the cat has lost it's interest in the tinsel and the bows.

And far across the room on the sofa softly sighs
The woman from the picture on the mantle, as she cries,
And wipes a falling tear from her softly leathered cheek
As the cat jumps up upon her, friendly now and newly meek.

She stares up at the picture, knowing well the years have gone
How she's suffered and been loved, how she's dared to carry on.
As another Christmas eve is passing by and quickly waning
She contemplates her life and all the good times left remaining.

She smiles as she hears footsteps from the corridor behind
And turns to stretch her hand to the warmth of his in kind.
And gives a smile of quiet joy and devotion to the man
From the picture on the mantle, as he clasps her outstretched hand.

And his smile is one of happiness, of faithfulness, and love
Like his smile in the picture on the mantle just above.
She rises from the sofa and follows to the stairs
As they pause to look at pictures of their children, and then theirs.

Ascending arm in arm they retire for the night
As the candle o'er the fireplace softly casts it's amber light
On the picture on the mantle of a couple touched by love
And aglow with so much more than just the candlelight above.

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about this poem:

i really liked this poem when i wrote it, but after reading it a few times i liked it less. i still think it's a decent effort, but it definitely has a re-write or two in it's future. i can't wait to read the finished product, though!