The Ashes Of Christmas Past Poem by Jim Harmon

There were many times before
When I had everything to put beneath the tree.
But the silken bows and tinsels glow
Were just pretty wrappings for things
That would be gone and forgotten
Like the reasons before the last snows of the season.

Many trees and bright packages came and went
Leaving only a mess of needles and paper to send up the chimney
Adding their dying glow to the coldness and the snow
In the bleak grayness of the early morning.

The coldness of separation lay on my heart
Like impenetrable drifts made even harder
by the chilling winds and the sun
that could only turn the snow to ice.

Today there is no snow and the ice is all gone.
The sun ripens the bright orange and yellow ornaments
That only God can provide.
They always came in baskets with green plastic straw
At Christmas time.

Now I have little to put beneath the tree,
But my heart has thawed and the reasons for feeling
And giving have returned.
I think I shall simply put a bow on my chest
And give myself to you in hopes that the reasons
for doing so will not be forgotten.