Christmas

Silent Night, Holy Night. 
Thoughts unbidden, in darkness rise. 
The smell of paper, a ticking clock
A man in red, a devil’s disguise.  

Small child, helpless child.
Born each year, seems so mild
Fire within, damnation and hate
a debt unpaid, a love beguiled. 

Father’s gaze, Mother’s eyes
An ancient hymn, is my demise
Once filled with love, and promises kind
Old words and pages, twist and writhe

Fools and bells, they will not come
Heed the call and sound the drum
A minute past twelve, the swelling sound 
Of things unsaid, of songs unsung. 

Soon to be made, I am undone