No one said that forever,

Gu bràth, is not so.

Forever is temporary

As long as is granted

For a time

Christmas will reveal

Less places at the table

More wishing stars

Riding the branches

Of our tree

Memories hurt the heart

Gaps like broken teeth

Punched out

Forever lost to somewhere

Or something

Look back, look ahead

Gu bràth, forever in thought.

See generations new

Alive with Christmas mystery

And breathe ….

© Liz MacKenzie

Literal meaning of gu bràth in Gaelic is “until Judgement”. It is also used to mean “forever” as in Alba gu bràth – Scotland forever