Presence

Presence

the smell of plastic pine

simulated cones on rubber Wreaths

white blank bulbs pulsating with light

Angels baffled at the sight

shepherds in confusion

follow neon stars

deep into a city night

a jolly old man

mugged in Central Park

someone said his name was Nicholas

his stolen sled a new statistic

it's the eve of the day

reindeer splattered on the highway

trying to hitch rides

to yesterday's holiday

because today there is no heart

merchandising too much a part

of what once was a First Noel

but now has turned from a Midnight Clear

to a world of fear

as the Drummer Boy's beats

get slow and heavy

and two feral elves

pass by a burnt-out Chevy

some charred Christmas wrapping

and a baby in a cardboard manger

fearing for his life.

erin-cilberto

12/23/19

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

Yes what is xmas to the homeless but more emphasis on their loneliness, those in need who gather around a fire in a drum cold and forgotten. They had families once! Yes Xmas celebrates but Xmas is a sad time.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so many have nothing to celebrate while others over-celebrate, and the meaning melts like a used snowflake.
thanks, andrew
j.

[andrew mitchell]

indeed j...so sad. i'm not a great believer in xmas knowing that others suffer during this time of celebrations.