January Villanelle

Norm Walker

January’s shutting down the Christmas dream:
The manger’s empty now; the tree is bare.
For weeks the Sacred Babe did boldly gleam.

Now, in yards, snow gathers like cold, whipped cream.
Gifts are gone; porch lights no longer there…
January’s shutting down the Christmas dream.

Ribbons, bulbs and stars are gone; they seem
To have somehow left pain and darkness where
For weeks the Sacred Babe did boldly gleam.

We sang songs and told deep tales that deem
How Christ profoundly saved us from the Slayer.
January’s shutting down the Christmas dream.

We’d like to sing, play music like a stream
Of love that we could offer as a prayer.
For weeks the Sacred Babe should boldly gleam.
Now, the icy snow’s a dark beam.
Tales that sink deeply in the soul wear
Us down; the Sacred Babe should boldly gleam,
But January’s shutting down the Christmas dream.


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January, 2010