Empty Hearts
On a brisk December morning
Children dreamt of Holiday delights
A vile storm was brewing
To extinguish 27 lights
Little sisters with their new clothes
Little boys in wintry white
A storm thick was waiting
To extinguish 27 lights
The end of a new day
Who could see the darkest spite
A storm now was ready
To extinguish 27 lights
As the stars are just dawning
Look up high in the night
They are singing others playing
Missed, Precious 27 lights
Empty Stockings
27 stockings hung…
My empty heart
Joins you on the pyre
Feelings are completely rung
no hope of life’s gift
of your love I am bereft
perhaps…
If I flung
myself before finality did start
into memory’s fire
flames would purify and lift
casting this pain adrift
…alas
No presents slung
On Santa’s jolly cart
can satisfy under ache so dire
no happy hugs to sift
this cold pale Christmas
~ Leslie Moon
© Copyright 2012 Leslie Moon. All Rights Reserved.
Pen of the Damned 
There are those who have lost loved ones this year and are aching over the loss. We think of Sandy Hook and we can make little sense of the loss of these dear people. The greatest darkness resides in a heart that can destroy innocence.
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Leslie, your soul is as beautiful as your witting. These poems are sad, poignant, and written with a delicacy and elegance that honors their subject matter.
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As I wrote each piece I could see the 27 lights start to flicker feel the pain of stockings where no gifts would bring the child back to life
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And a creepy Christmas to you, as well. Thanks for sharing these delightful, sad poems. Happy Holidays!
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I hope yours were a delight
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Thoughtful and touching poetry, Leslie, reminding us all to appreciate those who mean the most to us, at a time of the year when it is easy to become blinded by presents and avarice.
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Such haunting, beautiful poetry, Leslie. A touching first post for the Damned. Our group is about horror and angst; the tragedy in Newtown goes beyond that, way, way beyond that. I wish you never had to write this. Regardless, a heart wrenching tribute only you can deliver.
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Thanks Joseph- this was difficult to write but necessary in light of the suffering of others
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I so feel your pain, moondustwriter. I have eight children, my youngest being four, and for something like this to befall them would totally crush me. Your words say it all: what needs to be said and shared.
Blaze
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It took me this long to read through this all the way to the end and be able to comment on it without having to push myself away from my computer. Your words are beautiful and poignant, which is so hard to create from such a mindless tragedy. Thank you for this.
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Hunter it was written through a steady wash of tears. They still fall readily at the remembrance
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Leslie, I would first like to apologize for the time it’s taken for me to get back here and post a comment on your first PEN piece. The one, two punch from that home-invading Santa ‘Claws’ and rotten Baby New Year combine to make this time of year the worst for me. But, I wanted to say that these rhymes are darkly beautiful. I have said before, and still maintain, that good poetry is one of the most difficult forms of creative expression. But your poetry is excellent! Your words have stayed with me since I first read them back on Christmas. You are a master at your craft. I am awed…
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… and I am honored. Thanks DW grateful to be part of a team of word masters
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