Christmas used to come
on massive ships, sailing
to tropical places where
oranges and lemons
decorated live trees.

Lush flowers painted
from the rainbow with
God’s hand.
Balmy breezes at night.
Palm trees swaying.

Now, Christmas comes
and goes without trips
to warm places.

My earthly father is
no longer around to sail
us away. We have no
desire to go without him.

We don’t know when
Christ was born.
But I see him surrounded
by lush flowers, balmy
breezes and swaying palms.