In Gratitude For Santa's Spirit
by Michael Doyle

"Dear Santa", that's how it all began
Sealed with love as only a child can
What he wanted most of all was family
That and a meaningful Christmas tree

He grew up endlessly chasing a little cheer
In the hustle and bustle of year after year
The meaning got lost in the red, green and blues
And that was the best of the best of the happy news

Christmas experienced through expectation
In a jaded world demanding gratification
Badgered and beat down by the holiday madness
Who had time for season's greetings and gladness

New York City is a world apart from the North Pole
Where the real meaning is remembered and given whole
On top of the world there is snow coming down
And the season wears it like a blanketed crown

In a give me, give me world the elves are busy
Tinseled up in the jingles to the point of being dizzy
Santa wonders what happened to yesterday's gratitude
When appreciation was more than mere platitude

Gone are the days of joy filled with fascination
They made way for the greed and commercialization
Overworked and frenzied going through the motions
All that seems left is the stress of unsatisfied notions

The magic it seems may be about to completely disappear
If we don't remember our reflections of Christmas cheer
The most important thing is to remember what matters
It's that we never allow our children's dreams to shatter

It is time to suit up and put the gloves back on
Times like these need Santa to joyfully press on
It is a tale of here and now; of now and not just once upon
And the spirit of Christmas must never be allowed to be gone

(c) November 28, 2020  Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved