Christmas Time

This is the most wonderful time of the year,

Houses are complete with lights and gifts

The Christmas tree is soaring and decorated 

And with snowmen guarding the streets 

Family members are uniting for lunch,

This season is filled with happiness.

But this is only what I hear.

What I see is different.

This I can see -

The sunlight blinding during the day

And the breeze freezing during the night,

While I lie in bed trying to warm myself 

Under the thin bedspread,

I see damp roads adorned with dried leaves 

While I silently wish for the beautiful white snow,

My home is plain and undecorated 

While my eyes avoid the fancy decorations at the store,

My Christmas tree is small and almost bare

With all the decorations I received with the tree,

Instead of the snowmen in Christmas movies

I see lampposts out of order,

And as I look outside the window overlooking the empty street

There are no family members rushing through the gate

Only dogs and cats.

Is this my Christmas?

There are a few seconds left before Christmas 

And this time I believe there is magic in the air,

The darkness soars across the sky

Taking in all the sadness and pain

The stars are the lights to my Christmas tree

The tree that my windows overlook

The tree is not tall nor is it exceptional 

But it is a gift to the man sleeping underneath

And he has no place to go,

And the tree is decorated with nests

Of birds that seek its comfort on this night

And every other night 

There may not be a snowman of happiness 

But I hold memories warm enough to melt all the snow

That will not fall on the street 

Overlooked by my windows,

My family is right here

At home and in my heart

My heart holds those I loved and lost,

They are there because I have forgiven them

And melted their snow in my life,

But left the water to remind me of the hurt,

My heart holds those who loved and stayed

This is my family

And they don't come around only on Christmas.

This is my Christmas 

And it has just begun.