In December 2004 I was in the middle of my deployment to Würzburg, Germany. Better Soldiers were in Iraq or Afghanistan; I was in a place that was my second home: Germany. Not that the Army knew I spoke German and had been there often before. I was the chaplain with a hospital unit, and we were backfill for a unit that had gone to Iraq.
We had the choice to spend one of these three holidays at home: Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's. Since my chapel worshipping community needed an ordained presider at the altar, I chose Thanksgiving. My family could not come for Christmas due to the medical needs of a family member. That meant I was going to be without them. A family from my chapel invited me for Christmas Dinner, so I was not alone.
In the time leading up to Christmas, I did some typical German things in addition to my military duties. I attended a performance of Bach;'s Christmas Oratorio and went several times to the Adventsmarkt.
Last year I had the wonderful experience of participating in Tupelo Press' 30/30 Project for December. Along with several other poets, I agreed to write a poem for each day of the month. Here is one about that time:
Adventsmarkt in Würzburg
Fifteen Decembers ago
separated from those I love,
facing a hollow Advent/Christmas,
comfort sought I near the sea
of bright lights surrounding
the Marienkappele, aswirl
in color, aromas of baked goods
and sausages. By Glühwein warmed,
enraptured by familiar music sung and played,
on a cold Franconian night thinking of years
gone by and about my new home. Solace I
found, solace tendered to others now possible.
Only the lights of ambulances and police
cars illuminate the silent city in this somber
December. Memories console, hope inspires.
Arthur Turfa, ©2020
Wherever you are now, and whatever you celebrate, I wish you joy, peace, and companionship!
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