It's Christmas

and once again, familiar ghosts gather round,
underline the loss,
reminding what might have been,
what is no longer,
and not a chance of going back.

Christmas, a time of gladness,
is also depressing.
More ghosts come back each year
to call forth sighs.

It represents the need for children,
for toys and cheer
and beautiful decorations,
especially red.
which is a symbol of blood;

to make amends,
create memories, make new friends,
someone new to tell the stories to;
still too much work
when you’re old and want time
to sit and remember.