It’s the night after Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, the lights have been doused
The gifts have been given, the books and the toys
The drum set was played, it’s not such a bad noise
The feast was prepared and eaten with relish
Tall tales were told, then retold and embellished
The children debated the fate of the planet
Who’s running the country, heroes or bandits?
Cattleman, vegan, teacher, cyclist
Photographer, writer, trainer, scientist
Ideas and opinions from portside and starboard,
All sides of the spectrum, they’re pretty straightforward
But reason prevails among sisters and brother
Aunts, uncles, cousins respect one another
Politics, religion discussed without fear
Freedom of speech is a right they hold dear
Then they got sleepy and all went to bed
I retired to my room to clear my head
Take stock of another holiday passed
How lucky to have them all here at last
If only for Christmas, if just once a year
It’s all that I need to dispel any fear
Though they’ve married, had children, and left the fold
They’ve all grown up while I’ve just grown old
Three generations again ‘neath the roof
I ponder the meaning of life without proof
That the truths and beliefs to which they all cling
Might be founded on fact and make their hearts sing
But nothing is perfect, nor should it be
A tree’s not a symbol, a tree’s just a tree
Good or evil, I’m long passed obsessing
The balance of Zen is my Christmas blessing.