“Silver bells…silver bells” and “dashing through the snow”

went the melody, that played on the old radio.

 as the old woman sat alone by the candles solemn glow.

“Dreaming of a white Christmas” and “Little drummer boy”

continued the tune, as she with tender care, tied the Christmas bow.

Upon the mantel sat a spindly cloths hanger tree,

adorned with ornaments, of an old woman’s dreams.

her hands were gnarled by unkindly time,

As she placed tiny toy soldiers, in a ridged strait line.

Hobbling back now to her rocking chair,

She sat alone and cried, “does it matter, and does anyone care”?

“Little town of Bethlehem” sounded the melody still,

as the old woman pulled up her shawl, over her dress thread bare,

she asked again in a still louder voice, “I said, does anyone care”?

Yet no answer came her way,

As she in the cold of the room,

Quietly passed away,

“Silent night, oh holy night…all is calm”…..

this melody did play.

J. Allen Wilson © 2003