Two Views of Christmas Past
Merry Christmas everyone, whatever your circumstances happen to be. There is joy and grief all around, but through it all, a promise of hope.
Full Moon Christmas Eve
Clouds part on a fecund Moon
A promise of the Sun's return
Glittering snowdrifts line our walk
Down icy roads as candles burn
in frosted window panes
Snowshoe hare peers at festive lights
Children dance as mother claps
Singing in her jaunty cap
Their voices make a joyous sound
that echoes back to ancient songs
of full moon Christmas Eve.
Earthquake Christmas
We gather redwood boughs
tack them over the hole
where the mantel used to hang
before the earthquake cracked it.
Ribbons, lights, pictures cut
from last year's cards
dangle on drooping limbs.
We pretend to be as joyful
as we can for our child.
She skips and whirls merrily,
doing her part in our charade.
Our bravery shatters when
a tremor shakes the house.
The creaking rakes our spines
and our sense of peace.
Rain dribbles into pans
from roof seams torn away
from supporting beams.
The chimney's gone now.
No firelight will dance this year
Against shimmering tinsel.
A few meager packages replace
The rubble. Only the scarlet
stockings beneath our ersatz tree
fill our hearts with hope.
If joy leaves your heart in the hands of grief, seek out those in need of comfort from lonely, troubled dreams. Spend this holy time as best you can to bring your share of hope and peace that lies latent within you. A Christmas gift to all around you.
Blessed be, my friends.