Between Five And Seventy Five Poem by Phyllis Thompson Halle

At night we would whisper, brother and I, that we simply couldn't wait
For the coming days to fast fly by; til that breath holding, happy date
When, while we were sleeping, a little fat man in fur trimmed coat and boots,
Would sneak into our house and leave gifts so grand; then we'd rise in the morning with hoots!
Ah! Then the time would fly by!
and he did!
and we did!
It was grand!

At night, now, I think to myself, that the days are still whizzing past but no jolly morning is coming on fast
when the house will be filled with family and laughing and song. So, I think I must have done something forbidden, cruel or very, very wrong
For my life did fly by!
And memory taunts
And loneliness haunts
Yet it all was grand!


For life is a series of anticipations!
I always taught my children: 'Anticipate nothing!
It is the only way you won't be disappointed! '
Yet anticipate we must.
It is something that flows in and out of our days and nights.
When the day arrives that nothing is worth anticipating, then life has lost all meaning and becomes a black hole, sucking all light and joy from breath and thought.

So, now, no red suited, fur warmed, chubby fellow with cherry cheeks and hard working reindeer will ever come again, to delight this child's heart that still beats (though sometimes, reluctantly.)

Now, reason strongly teaches me: This Time! Yes, This Time! you can indeed anticipate and no disappointment will drown your hope and joy!
This Time! This time! You will not awaken on a bright morn, where there are harsh words and quarreling, nor sad, nor chilling feelings, nor to seek comfort from the cold, hard, stiff legged, staring doll that lay under the sparse little tree.

This time! The promises of this bright morning will prove warm and true and my earthly mind will no longer struggle with 'whys and what ifs and help me, Lords.'

For the promises of standing before my Maker and Savior will make all that was confusing and difficult come clear and easy before my soul.

(December 5,2008)
(West Palm Beach Florida)