i turn on the radio
and in between
christmas carols
and christmas ads..

a man is stabbed
a woman cries
her child is dead
and the bills
won't get paid
this month
either

daddy stares outside
wondering how
he's going to feed the kids
mommy sits in quiet horror
turns the radio off
slow


silent night
but the stars
shine brighter
for some of us

remember that sometimes
and drop that extra quarter
in the bum's hand
touch it for a moment
look into his eyes
remind him
he's human too
smile and wish him
a happy holiday

charity is more than a checkbox
a donation sent without heart
it's what comes when you put
light back into the eyes
of the hopeless
and the miracles come
when they lay to sleep
on cold pavement
but dream of merry christmas
and happy
new years