There is a longing to this season
Sitting at my window
Coffee in hand
Relishing that phantom burn
Where smoke once made its wretched way down
To blackened lungs

A world away in falling snow
United foes wage war against their God given enemy
Fighting with salt and scrapers
Shovels and hoes
The white lady with her voluminous skirts
And cold cold stare

They prepare the way for the child who would change everything
Outfitting homes and offices
Plastic trees and terrifying cherubic elves
Watching
Waiting

There is a hint on the edges
A subtle flavour
Of the middle eastern babe
Like vanilla in a sugar cookie
Lifting a divine cry as the eternal cracked this earth and fulfilled our deepest desire
Unfolding in fullness calling us home

We glory in our families
Wallow in delicious loneliness
Adorn our dogs - holly and felt antlers -
And make our way ever closer to a remembered manger
A forgotten king