Cool, crisp, quiet
Christmas Eve night,
peace punctuated by
millions of
randomly twinkling stars.
Monochromatic Earth
covered in whiteness
with ice and snow silhouettes
as far as the eye can see.
Sparkling clean newness,
nature’s metaphor
of the New Year to come.
Soft, muted Christmas tree lights
create multi-color
glow forms
interspersed with shadows.
Christmas ornaments
and decorations
reminiscent of people,
places, and memories
of a life lived.
Christmas gifts of
mismatched wrapping paper
and bows
lie piled
one on top of the other
barely fitting
under the tree.
Wispy scent of
forest gently wafts
throughout the room.
Christmas tree’s reminder
of a long forgotten
forest family.
Coolness dominates
everywhere
more than
a few feet
from the crackling fireplace.
Giggles, S’mores, hot chocolate,
warm hugs from
thick blankets,
all wrapped up
in one Christmas memory.
Empty stockings
patiently wait their fill.
Santa Claus
anxiously anticipated
by sleepless children.
A perfect
Christmas Eve memory
full of delicious food,
family and fun.
A reality
for some,
nothing more
than a hopeful,
prayerful dream
for others.
Let those of us
who have had the privilege
of knowing
what a perfect Christmas Eve
is like,
remember those
who have never had a chance
to experience it.
Merry Christmas to all
and may God grant us
peace on earth and
true goodwill
towards mankind.
Note: This poem was inspired, in part, by Larry Stewart (a.k.a. “Secret Santa”). He spread Christmas cheer to those in need for decades. Although he passed away in 2007 his legacy continues through the Society of Secret Santas.