Sit and soak up
a little cinnamon tea
for a little stress escape
from this season's chaos
settle down with
the signature 'S' Senses
of Christmas

Silver, stars, Scotch Pines, Spruce
Santa
strung garlands
streetlamps with snowdrops
sugar cookies
spices and the scent of baking
secret lists

and lots of shushing
for if you don't sleep
Santa won't come.

There are stockings on mantelpieces
tree dressings
sips of steaming chocolate
sweet liqueurs
tortieres' savoury
stocking stuffers

striped candy canes
satin and silk dressing gowns wrapped

the sending of Christmas greetings
circles skated on the pond
shopping and standing in line
for your kids' turns
with their wish lists, at Santa's lap

stickers on parcels
seals of Christmas charity
soaps, sweets, snowmen.

Shoveling!!! Storms!!! All systems swirling
and welcome smoke from chimneys
and there's even sharing
December with
our Chanukkah friends.

Saint
Nicholas
Shining Star
of Bethlehem
saying prayers
Sweet baby's birth
straw beneath star-sky
Shepherds standing watch
squeeze your hands together now
sing the song of Our Saviour's season
smile for the sanity of the
silent stillness

12/05/2003