Christmas evening...

Christmas evening...

And the house is quiet
Candles flickered, guttering low
Dinner put away, cookies all gone
Children dozing, worn out from play

Friends have been called
Good wishes heartily extended
Family visited, gifts of love in hand
All are happy, this Christmas evening

Yet, not every ghost is at rest
Some, this evening still walk
loneliness rears, even here inside
Bringing to life spirits thought lost

A careless word, unmeant
A thoughtless phrase, well meaning
A story told, with good intent
All may open wounds, once hoped healed

Christmas evening, a time for peace
Except when ghosts are prodded awake
Returned from their hiding, in the dark
Seeking fresh pain on which to feed

A thought misplaced, even a word
Opens the door just enough
Only a crack is needed, only a sliver
Ghosts thought gone, returned now

Sadness, regret, will not make a cure
Once called in, the ghosts will stay
Till driven away, once more
By the light of day

Sleep, an open door itself
Not to be trusted on such a night
When ghosts walk free, and hunt
When peace is only a dream