Seasonal Shadows

Holiday of hope, of happiness

cold colludes and conquers outside

while warmth is welcome, washes over us inside

recollections and reflections on the year that was

rejoicing and refreshing, the songs and speeches

the highs and the holes,

we made it... we made it another twelve

#

as we head from the dark, a path opens

thanksgiving and thoughtful

hearts heal, hate held back

for a while, for a welcome while

the fantasy, the reality, for some

for some

#

it's your day, enjoy it, you've earned it

life, after all, without events

without pomp and ceremony

would just be hard work, relentlessly hard

#

if only there was enough festive cheer

to go around

to heal the hearts of the beaten, the broken

the damned

the lonely sentinels of grief

the solitary lieutenants of pain

self-inflicted and undeserved

#

their battles unseen

unless you look closely

the man clutching his overcoat,

older than sin and worn out.

the woman shivering in the doorway—

any doorway

seeking shelter in newspapers and rags

refuge from the kindness of others

in such slow declining availability

#

celebration of community or consumerism,

holiday of hope or hoggish avarice

The Swine of Manor Farm, greasing their bellies

All animals equal, but some animals more equal than others

pig to man, man to pig, pig to man, impossible to say which is which

with more food than necessary

the excesses excused by their hard work and diligence

they're just the lower rung of life's ladder

Manor Farm's tale echoes modern feasts,

the same cyclical repeat of greed

#

why should we, anyone notice

society bears the blame, oh sure,

yet the government's an easy scapegoat

our leaders, wield power and influence

control commerce and economics

#

yet amid the glow, a quiet shadow rises...

as we gather, a shadow lingers,

forgotten faces in frost-covered mirrors

#

this

is

y/our

problem

#

so, carols and comfort

glass raising to the future

enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

think not beyond your doorstep

or those always left out

fire crackling in the hearth,

warmth spilling softly, heart-to-heart,

while beyond the door, a silence sharp

without meaning, without fellow feeling

are you dreaming or maybe self-deceiving

y/our fantasy tunes out their reality

…

the warmth of hope inside,

a candle of hopelessness outside

*

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: I injured my knee when taking the dogs out for nature's call at about 4 am a few days ago. So, I'm resting up, elevating it and keeping it in a support bandage. Fun times!

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