despite the war
despite things we cannot change
despite the oncoming fears
despite the welling tears
at another departure
happy Christmastide

for sparkles of a few days
for the hope that glimmers briefly
for the yearnings we can dismiss
for the few days together
happy Christmastide

the few days a year 
when anything seems possible
even the impossible
even an end is in sight
happy Christmastide