A Christmas Blessing     

I look beyond ice frosted panes

to see the quiet whispering,

of golden leaves, abandoning,

so tired trees may rest til Spring.

A humble sadness enters me,

as doldrums wantonly conspire

to lay false claim to my desire,

and challenge what may yet transpire.

At first it all seems tragedy,

just wasted dreams and emptiness,

impassioning great loneliness,

replacing joy with bitterness.

But just when I sense all is lost,

when sorrows seem the only way,

and tears forever here to stay,

a Christmas song begins to play!

So pure the sound of choral voice

and melody, I've known so long,

and though the grip of sadness strong

I cannot help but sing along.

And slowly then, as troubles melt,

as raging shadows run from me,

I raise my grateful eyes to see

my friends, around a Christmas tree!

Come gather ye, sweet spirits fine,

to banish thoughts that sorrow sends,

and when all living memory ends,

my life was blessed with you -

my friends.