Christmas on a staircase , I’m just passing time .
I’m at the top and there’s no stairs left to climb .

The doors are all closed and its quiet tonight,

everyone’s away so I keep out of sight .

Deep down in my soul I am touched by Gods grace .

I remember them and I’m there in that place .

I think of them there and then I speak their name ,

Jesus Mary and Joseph you’ve known the same .

Thanks for sharing with me on this Christmas day ,

A vision in words of what you want to say .

Thanks for your presence and helping me to see ,

My connection with the holy family .

Saint Joseph the worker , so much you had done.

How blessed are you Mary, with Jesus your son .

Sometimes in the wilderness of life you find ,

Inner vision and strength and real peace of mind .



Christmas on a staircase I can’t catch the rain ,

I’m so hungry but you are with me again .

Linoleums comfort on old creaky stairs ,

God knows I’ve been living on faith and some prayers.

Please spare me a thought , for its homeless I am ,

There’s no candy cane and there’s no Christmas ham .

There’s no one to say happy Christmas to me ,

On a lonely old staircase no one can see .

My chilblains are red and my fingers are numb ,

Outside they say give a bottle to the bum .

But I’m a thinker not a drinker you know .

When I get inspired poetry seems to flow .

I write on a staircase now Christmas is here .

I wait in the hope for some food to appear .

Jesus Mary and Joseph stay with me now ,

I’m not alone because you’re with me somehow .


Christmas on a staircase and its almost gone .

I hear a door open the hour before dawn .

A stranger comes in to this lonely old place ,

He says come down from the top of the staircase .

Have you been sitting up there all night he asked .

I said , Yes, but I never knew time had passed .

Have you had something to eat ,
I answered no .

Well have breakfast with me and then you must go .

Does anyone know you were here on the stairs .

Just the holy family , no one else cares .

How did you get in he asked , have you a key ?

I said no someone left it open for me .

You’re lucky the landlord didn’t find you there .

I thanked him and stepped out in the clear fresh air .

There for the grace of God go I
and be blest .

To find another place were I can have rest .



By Paul McCann