The Other Woman

Another side of the holidays...

THE OTHER WOMAN

She had everything in its place:
holly berries and evergreen on the mantle.
She hung mistletoe above every door
in anticipation of that special kiss.

She had been attracted to him from first smile.
Her wish of love was to be granted--
She was breathlessly awaiting his promised visit.
Joyful that her prayers were answered at last.


Adorned in a red velvet dress,
she sat on the sofa and waited.
The clock struck ten,
eleven,
twelve.

Butterflies that hours ago had fluttered
in her stomach had stilled their wings.
Her dreams were dying along with
the embers in the fireplace.

The ringing of the phone jolts her.
An unfamiliar voice tells her that he is dead.
A woman with too much to drink
had run a light and hit him head-on.

Another woman had taken him from her.