THE WHOLE SANTA THING
Whatever the origins
be they Odin or St. Nick
Coca-Cola or Mattel
Whatever the impetus
that spawned this
winter window of magic
this consensual phantasm
of red & green & turkey
firs eggnog & fires
when neighbors go a little nuts
& streets are lit by fairy dust
& grownups take occasion
to be jolly
Red-nosed children
jump out of their skins
because some fat elf
rides the night
spews his bounty
& gives them
the one dream they
can wake up to not from
Keep your disclaimers
Hold the humbug
My joy doesn't depend
on consensus
or the happiness
of everyone
& beautiful songs
remain beautiful
because they are
so longing to be true
For me the impulse to give
whatever we wrap it in
is gift enough
& I remain that boy
who on the brink of sleep
could have sworn
he heard hooves on the roof
who wanted to believe
in such a world
where a total stranger
knows what you need most
& gives it to you