Festive Sonnet Sunday: The Ghosts of Christmas Past

Bah humbug

I mutter ‘bah-humbug’ beneath my breath
throughout this season of enforced good cheer
when we must never speak of loss, nor death
although the loss is all to great to bear:

Lost loved ones I remember, candlelight
recalls your living flame snuffed out too soon;
gaudy illuminations shine not half as bright
as you did when your love-light filled the room.

But you are now the Ghosts of Christmas Past
and we are told we must be of good cheer:
no earthly treasures can, we think, outlast
the gifts which you left us when you were here.

And so to you, I raise a solemn toast
and pray you’re welcomed by a heavenly host

I find Christmas hard…

There, I said it! Of course, I want everyone to have a good time, and I try to join in the fun as much as possible, but I’m always haunted by the Ghosts of Christmas Past. So I dedicate this poem to anyone who has lost loved ones at this time of year. You are not alone in grieving.

This post begins our Festive Sonnet Sunday! Do stay tuned for more, and if you like, link up a festive sonnet of your own in the comments below. As you can see from the above, there is no requirement to be cheerful! Though festive cheer is, of course, most welcome…

Here is a delightful offering from Selma Martin, reflecting on the true value of Christmas: Sonnet No.5

43 thoughts on “Festive Sonnet Sunday: The Ghosts of Christmas Past”

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  6. Pingback: WRITTEN FOR SONNET SUNDAY

  8. I hope this works. This is a brilliant sonnet Ingrid though so very sad. Brought tears to my eyes. I tried to post a pingback to my sonnet but don’t think it worked. Lorraine

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  9. Love the vulnerability in your poem. No more enforced cheeriness, please.

    …Wrote you a lengthy comment but decided against it. I never want to downplay what you’re going through.
    …And you’re so young and still have so much you wanted to do with your dearly departed.
    Only God knows why these things happen to good people.
    Just remember, Don’t look for Christmas in the clamor and display of superficial eventfulness, especially if your heart is heavy with one or many irreplaceable losses. Christmas is not there.

    I’m really sorry you find Christmas hard.
    It’s hard because you lost your northern star
    So I raise a toast in cam’raderie
    ‘Cause I think you’re extraordinary

    I bless you. Do what feels right in your heart and stay firmly in the light. xoxo

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  11. Lovely, heart-touching sonnet, Ingrid! The carols you have posted are beautiful and much appreciated.

    I have always admired your honesty and forthrightness as well as your talent and dedication. Your kindness and encouragement to others is inspiring. I wish you peace and comfort this holiday season. Thank you for all you do for others, including Festive Sonnet Sunday. <3

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  12. How those words spoke to me! Very well don, Ingrid! I especially love the lines” Lost loved ones I remember, candlelight/ recalls your living flame snuffed out too soon”

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  13. Such truth in your words Ingrid as you shed some light and love and I get out of my bah humbug mode and into the light. Remembering the light of each and everyone gone too soon and those in our world.. love to you! 💖💖❤️🌷🌷

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  14. A lot of people find Christmas hard. In 2016 I had to spend Christmas (and New Year’s) in a group home for anorexia recovery. My family drove for 2 hours to see me for a few hours and then drove back. I felt mostly bad for them.

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  15. I adore this poem for its truth. I find that when we can speak our truth with those closest to us, there is an opening there for relationships that will forever blossom. I also think we can hold both, pain and cheer as a possibility. Beautiful write, Ingrid!

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  17. Christmas IS a time of good cheer, but it is also a time for reflection, so I think remembering lost loved ones is very important to do at Christmas. I try to focus on good memories, but sometimes I feel the edge of sadness overcoming me from time to time.

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  18. Pingback: A Sonnet the Week Before Christmas | revivedwriter

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