• Silent snow graces the ground
    Not winter yet, but it's Currier and Ives
    Beyond my frosted window,
    As I sit in this warm house before the fire
    Which crackles and burns with cheer.

    Cheer
    It seems to be everywhere
    It must be the season
    It's addicting
    Even those Scrooges at the office
    Their faces seem to glow with spirit
    And I smile as they brag
    About their anonymous holiday cards
    Sitting proudly on their desk.

    Evening has come, I guess.
    I can't see the sun set
    Beyond the grey clouds,
    But things are getting darker.
    It's harder to see the snowflakes fall
    Fall
    Fall
    Constantly they come, without end.
    Will they end?

    Beside me a tree is decorated
    Covered in antique ornaments from my childhood
    Illuminated by many lights in the branches
    And surrounded by piles of gifts
    That wait to be opened come morning.
    I smile at the packages, and I pull my blanket around me
    As I am overcome by a sudden chill.

    Christmas in the country
    Is beautiful and magical
    Like the true work of a master artist
    That you can reach out and touch
    But despite the warmth and love and cheer
    I am abandoned here
    To drown in my Christmas woes.

    I've gone to church.
    Happy Birthday Jesus!
    A feeling wrenches at my gut.
    My family is overflowing with Christian joy
    But who cares to look at me;
    Who care about the feelings
    Of a black sheep.

    The children are asleep as I head downstairs
    Shivers run down my body.
    It's freezing down underground,
    But underground is where I must go
    To celebrate in secret, solitude, and lonliness.

    My candles are on the concrete floor
    In the shadowed corner of the room
    My dragons are sitting beside them
    My incense is ready to be lit
    And in the midst of it all, is a picture of Santa,
    The spirit of the season.
    My preparations for my Lord's rebirth are here
    In the shadows of secret
    Like the celebrations of those gone before me.

    I cast my circle, I meditate, I ask for strength this year.
    I offer branches of pine trees, and bread for the winter ghosts
    And on this joyous, silent night
    I get down on my knees and weep.
    I weep for myself and my broken life,
    I weep for my family and friends
    But most of all, I weep for the world
    That is blind to those who bleed.

    My fiancee comes to join me,
    And he lovingly dries my eyes.
    As he comforts me, I smile and know
    At least I have him, and my Lord and Lady
    Amid all this Christmas woe.