Merry Christmas to all...

Shades of Christmas

It's late and quiet and only I
Remain awake as sleepers sigh.
Our house is mute, the night withdrawn,
Unstirred, as though the power had gone.
A glow of candles, two or three,
Is all except the lighted tree
As I lay tinsel, each by hand;
From gracefully dangling leaded strand
A soft ice gleam to the needled maze,
This forest fir bids deeper gaze—
Deep, unbeknownst a conjure slips
Around me, midst the needle tips.

I hear the carols! voices strong;
We sang them as a younger song,
A choir of friends, sung with a will.
This wonder stirs to move me, still.
The air grows sharp and I believe
I know this time—it's Christmas Eve—
Rounds of caroling round me hear,
Can there have ever been such cheer?
(As lighted branches fill my eyes
And tinsel surely self-applies)
The choir moves then to separate
And closely milling friends create
A place for me and I am there,
Of special faces now aware,
Familiar voices teasing me
With old and friendly mockery.

I know that boy, tall John it is,
And slender Donna's arm links his.
Angels that have sung on high
Rang true, I met that in their eye.
And impish Jacquie, happy child
Who secretly my heart beguiled.
I see her pleased and singing there,
Her night chilled face, red ginger hair.
There! Jack and Paul, my merry chums
God rest ye, bring ye sugar plums!
Such mischief made by honest friends!
(That never called for grave amends)
Hear! Sandi's sweet soprano voice
Will bear the meaning of rejoice!
The chorus swells as times compressed
I hear and see how I'd been blessed.
Abrupt the spell fell, to a yawn,
My hands were bare, the tinsel gone.

A birthday is a magic time
When spirits glow and souls may chime;
It's Christmas then, the highest call
As Charlie showed us, each in thrall.
And you may conjure as he did
(Provided you were once a kid)
Yet such a spell is not won free
But needs your honeyed memory.
With all your friends see close and deep
If conjured memories you would keep
To summon joy's reclusive elf
You mark each larger than yourself.
The season's magic lies in you
As I have seen, and you will too,
Thus hear and say, with pleasant tears,
A Merry Christmas across the years.

   posted by Stephen at 9:44 PM | Plink