Christmas Has Changed

There's no tree up this year. No pretty decorations. It all feels like a bad,

bad dream. I avoid pushy crowds and all the Christmas celebrations.

This year doesn't feel merry to me. There's no smell of Christmas.

Cookies on the counter from the recipes we used to share.

Other people laugh and watch our favorite movies while I'm staring at this empty

chair. Oh, I know someday that I'll move on

and Christmas won't be so sad. I'll finally accept you're gone

and I'll smile looking back. But this season there's emptiness, a feeling I