The Last Noel

The Last Noel

In the bed, she lay
So tired and so frail
Like the room itself
So colourless and pale

At least, through the window
She could see the snowflakes dance
Falling in a serenade
To a winter’s night romance

Her bedsores burned like hell
In this purgatory of self
A forgotten thing called living
Lay dormant on its shelf

But the snow fell so dreamlike
And whispered in her ear
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Cast away such morbid fear!’

And a gentle chill did nip her nose
And holly crowned her hair
And, suddenly, she was twirling
Like the snowflakes through the air

And carols of old, and Christmas cheer
Filled her soul with joy
And in her hand she was to find
Her favourite long lost toy

A rabbit, with such sparkly eyes
She’d lost so long ago
And, yet, it found its way back home
How? She did not know!

So, off they went, down the hall
For giggles, hugs, and fun
Ruffling the hair of a passing nurse
To see how fast she’d run!

They passed the dull, old Christmas tree
And made it shine much brighter
And all who passed in sad refrain
Felt burdens get much lighter

Then, out into the snowy street
A street of long ago
When children sang outside of doors
With rosy cheeks aglow

Pennies thrown for sugary treats
From jars filled with colour
Mouths agape, like hungry birds
Gulping one after the other!

This street she knew so well
Where she grew up as a girl
The cosy glow of coal lit fires
Causing memories to unfurl

She felt the warmth of hugs forgotten
Of smiles through embers of time
Her Mother singing Silent Night
And Christmas smells divine

Roasted meats, and cinnamon treats
Hot chocolate in a cup
Mulled wine poured in a fancy glass
Ready to sneak a sup

Now, standing at her old front door
Rabbit hugged to chest
Some trepidation had crept in
But it was always for the best

In she stepped, amid the cheers
As Father came to greet
His warming smile, like joy itself
A wonderful Christmas treat!

‘It’s been a while, our beautiful girl’
He said with love and laughter
‘Oh! What a party this will be
Here in the great hereafter!’

Next day the carers stripped a bed
Where once a woman lay
And when they pulled the final sheet
A rabbit had come to stay!

They scratched their heads in disbelief
As a poorly girl stood by
“Dya wanna come with me,” she said
And it winked a sparkly eye…