Image: Arno Rafael Minkkinen
Christmas Day
Celebrations begin at dawn,
Children squeal when discovery
Reveals surprises
Their hearts desire.
Mother and father watch
Their hearts pounding
Proud as each child’s
Long sought wish
Is realised.
Today they go to the river
An anticipated picnic
A picturesque spot.
They’ll swim in the river
Today’s a stinking Christmas Day.
Excitement mounts
Picnic baskets packed
Each child gathers a favourite gift
The old family car loaded with expectation.
By afternoons end
Two girls and the father
Drown in the river
In a spot thought safe.
The mother is distraught
She gathers what is left of her life
Her brother comes to fetch her home
She stands and stares at the tranquil water
How did this happen she asks?
The baby is in its stroller
Safe, unhurt, oblivious.
She never visits the river again
Each lost child
Their cries for help
Forever in her mind.
They wondered why she didn’t scream
Throw herself down.
But when you are numb
Everything’s in a dream.
Christmas Day
Has haunted her for years.
She sits with the girl’s favoured gifts
Holds them close
Closes her eyes, remembers the day.
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/photo-prompt-39-scream-by-the-pier-december-16-2014/
Morpethroad 
A tragic loss, as our days start and end, we are unagware what tragedy may befall us. Sad write Michael.
Excuse the typo, can’t even blame predictive text…
Thank you Jenny, yes this family had more tragedy than most.
Oh how sad. You know how to write to touch the heart, Michael.
Thank you Lyn, such an event did happen many years ago up my way.
How tragic. You write the event well.
Thank you so much Debi.
Reblogged this on S.O.U.L. S-P-A-C-E.
Thank you JoAnn
How tragic … you really wrote a masterpiece here Michael … so well written and it gave me the shivers.
Thank you Georgia, that’s a very telling comment, I am flattered to have read of your response.
🙂 an Merry Christmas Michael …
This is painfully sad.
Thanks Kim, based to a certain point on a real event.