Freezing Point
The river flowing tumble of snow
jackets the buildings and the road
on the last twilight of 1998.
As the sky is slowly draped by darkness and coolness,
there I am on the coldest loneliest walk of my life.
All around, I can see some dancing colored lights.
The houses spells the happy shadows of families.
Some sharing a meal.
Some laughing out loud near their Christmas tree.
Some on the middle of a party.
Christmas carols flying free on mid-air like:
"...But heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a hurting human soul..."
With only a coat, long thick black hair kissed by snow
and some old worn socks to warm me,
I traverse the street--
finding, finding a place I can call home.
About six days ago... I was also with my parents,
so happy, though we only share some bread and cheese
plus porridge that Christmas day.
Me and my parents hugged every night
allowing me to stand the icy nights of December
under the roof of our wooden worn-out home.
My parents though they can't read nor write,
they diligently work day by day for our needs specially mine.
I wasn't given any gift nor we can't everyday eat some meat.
However, my days with them are filled with fun-loving memories.
Not until...
a monstrous fire eat voraciously
our home and three other houses nearby.
My father though old with arthritis
carried me fast as he can to a safe place
and so my mother but ---
father ran back to the house
to save some of our things but unfortunately...
The roof of our home fell.
The fire so ferocious swallowed everything including my father.
My mom and I dealt with this pit of tragedy as one
but later I saw my mother slowly, slowly crumbling down.
She more than me is slowly falling down faster.
Her lamp of hope blown out.
And not long, past six on the same day my mother died.
Hence as the surrounding gets cold
so is the the life of me gradually reaching the freezing point.
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***Inspired by the story: The Little Match Girl by H.C. Andersen
and with some lines from the song: "My Grown Up Christmas List" by K. Clarkson
©O. E. Guillermo
Sponsor Debbie Guzzi
Contest Name A Christmas Tale
Placed 2nd
08:33 pm, December 17, 2014
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