January 17, 2019 · 2:41 pm
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I Said I’d Be Home For Christmas – a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

467-340-50c9f16b4fc49-13-j3cubchristmas-e1513598935352.jpg

Image courtesy of Pacific Paratrooper

I Said I’d Be Home For Christmas

I heard it before I saw it,
an ancient sound,
a single engine piper,
that was in descent to the frozen field,
then I saw it,
bright yellow,
it yawed to one side as it hit the snow,
and corrected to a fine halt.
Some old guy clambered out,
a picture of an era gone,
leather bomber jacket
straight out of 42.
My mother holding the door frame,
gasped,
they threw themselves at each other
with sobs and kisses,
the long silence punctuated with:
secret ops,
Burma,
hopelessly lost,
but I said I’d be home for Christmas,
Honey, she said,
its ten years gone,
Well, he said,
a promise is a promise.

©Paul Vincent Cannon

 

Paul, pvcann.com

 

40 Comments

Filed under challenge, Free Verse, life, love, poem, war

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40 responses to “I Said I’d Be Home For Christmas – a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon”

  1. michnavs
    January 17, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    This is beautiful…and sad…or maybe its just me..

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  2. msjadeli
    January 17, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    I love the images in your poem. I bet you this one would sound good read aloud.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
  3. Ana Daksina
    January 17, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    Wow

    Reblogging to my sister site Timeless Wisdoms

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  4. Pingback: I Said I’d Be Home For Christmas – Timeless Wisdoms

  5. Winnie
    January 17, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    That is a beautiful sight to behold, Paul.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Hélène - Willow Poetry
    January 17, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    Beautiful Paul.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  9. RhScribbles
    January 17, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    A promise is a promise! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. Pingback: #Haibun- Frozen- Tell The Story – Culture Shocks

  11. GP Cox
    January 17, 2019 at 7:14 pm

    You did an outstanding job, Paul. I’m glad I asked you for it!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. calmkate
    January 18, 2019 at 12:08 am

    powerful and profound so glad GP requested it, you did well!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. purplepeninportland
    January 18, 2019 at 1:52 am

    This is wonderful and heartwarming.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. lync56
    January 20, 2019 at 6:49 am

    What a beautiful narrative poem – I was drawn right into the story – you left it with us wanting to know the rest of the story – a book ????

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. kopfundgestalt
    January 21, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    The title reminded me on a story told by my father once. His brother went home from war just for a Little vacation. He told him: I won’t come back.Two weeks later he died. He knew there was no chance to survive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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