Christmas Carol warning bells —
Two to midnight to the tune of
Do they know it's Christmas time
At all.

Oh, the climate outside
Is frightful.

Songs of change,
Here to stay —
We're dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way.

Another year winding down,
Here it is, the time of joy —
With the heat turned way down low,
Is everyone still having fun?

What more could I give,
What more could you ask —
Last Christmas
I gave you my heart.

Bright storefronts scream colors,
Warm capitalist wishes —
It's beginning to look a lot
Like Christmas.

Christmas time,
Peace and glee —
Joy to the world,
Presents to me.

We brought no gifts,
But one of love —
We're here tonight.
Isn't that enough?

Nevermind the bitter,
Appreciate its candor —
Deceit comes honey coated.

Peace, the dream
We never learned —
With songs about heaven,
And books about war —
Resonates unnoticed
Through hollowed hearts,
In disappointed silence.

Free but for the shackles
Of cultural identity,
Indebted by none but our own.

Don't fear getting left behind —
The fun and games begin
Behind the bandwagon.

There's love for all,
But rarely soon enough.

Silent but within —
Burning shadows on linen,
Never to warm again.

V, the mark of absent friends,
Of messages, still unopened,
Final words, left unread —
Lingering ethereal moments.

If we leave, love,
Where would we stay —
Your heart or mine?

Joined,
For a night?
For life?
Games of tag —
Heart and loins
Taking turns
Playing lover.

It's no longer you —
If it ever truly were.
Passion leaks
From hearts too open.

Charity, a wrist-cuffed hand,
Forced to serve recycled chances
To a crowd of growing want,
Until the last can-do is spent —
Cut loose,
Bled of all but shallow
Thanks.

A teacher's hand,
A master's touch —
A lesson learned,
A childhood lost.