soon it will be christmas–
so many unopened presents
under the darkened trees in the homes
of those massacred at sandy hook elementary

soon it will be christmas–
a time we all become children
but not those who lost their loved ones
whose hearts break tenderly

soon it will be christmas–
you wonder where they’ll find the strength
to light their evergreen trees, dare look
at the empty stockings with names by the chimney

soon it will be christmas–
a time for birth, hope for eternity
yet so many lives prematurely ended
because of everyday insanity

soon it will be christmas
so much innocence lost in sheer moments
something the world must remember–
longer than last rites at the cemetery

soon it will be christmas
a special time to remember
why shines the star
atop every christmas tree