AnElephantCant forget Santa time
So he writes this piece of whimsy
He is still plotting
To hang up his stocking
Although he does not have a chimney
Seasons Greetings by Phil Burns
Xmas in Isipingo
Life in South Africa in 1958 is quite different from the 21st Century.
There is no television.
Even Science Fiction has not invented video games.
Giants such as Orwell, Huxley and Bradbury cannot conceive such things.
Entertainment is home made.
But it is Christmas.
Hands trembling, he unwraps the long thin parcel.
His heart leaps.
A bow!
A real bow, not a stick with a string on it.
A bow of polished wood, a shaped hand grip, coloured cord.
And arrows, sleek and shiny.
For a pre-teen boy, it is a gift from the gods.
His father follows him outside, smiling, laughing as he fumbles with the string and the arrow’s notch.
Let me show you, he says.
The boy is disappointed, but worships his father.
He hands over his treasure, reluctant but obedient.
His father, an engineer, a powerful man, extends the string fully.
Too fully.
The bow snaps.
Christmas is over.
He never again feels quite the same about his father.
childhood dreams
shatter too soon
too often too easily
LOL on the card!
I’m still trying to hang on to some of those childhood dreams…
Merry Christmas dear Ele 🙂
Reminds me of my childhood with a scalextrix and then a ZX-81. Both destroyed by father before we managed to play with them. I know not the same as the bow, and your haibun is a very poignant one.
Christmas comes yearly
anelephantcant not enjoy
love from across the sea
Merry Christmas Sir Elephant, may you have a good one, may you wrap your truck around all that you desire……well within reason!!
Isn’t it amazing how this time of year that is built up to create wonderful memories can lead to sadness and feeling lonely?
However…no one can feel sad as long as we have AnElephant around to make us smile and laugh. 🙂 Am I suppose to say Merry Christmas now?
AnElephantcan, I am pleased to tell you that I’ve awarded you the Blog of the Year Award 2013! There’s no obligation to accept, I understand completely if you don’t. Anyway, thanks for reading and liking my blog “adicanada” I appreciate your support. For details about the award, please see my post http://wp.me/p3ujR2-hg Have a Happy Holiday and All the best for you on the New Year!! Adrian B.
How wonderful. Merry Christmas to you and yours Sir!