Each step a new home
another lighted window
in the rain,
A new family celebrating
someone elses festival of Joy

Warm and cosy
snug by the fire
with tales of Santa
and Mistletoe and Ivy.

Every window ablaze
light and comfort
radiating, but not
as far as the street.

I stand alone in the glow
of one for a while
watching the children
with Father and Tree.

But I must move on,
this is someone elses
Celebration, I don't
Belong in their world.

A dim glow from afar
A flickering light: someone
remembers me in a candle,
There, I am welcome.

Tess Barnes
(apologies to C de Burgh...)