Sometimes a wave of sadness washes over me
Left alone with my feelings not wanting to speak
Knowing that keeping quiet lets it pass away
Like letting go of the loss of innocence
This was the best time of the year when I was young
Anticipating the one special day for opening gifts
Excited to discover fun new games and toys
Enjoying the decorations and music and lights
Now I am rather indifferent about it being an atheist
And with no young children in my life who would be disappointed
And with no urge to binge on buying things to pile under a tree
And with no wish to conform to the Christian calendar
Time was when I made a point of pointing out
This is a pagan holiday celebrating the winter solstice
Yuletide lights and evergreen tree and burning log
And the modern day jingle of the cash register
Being in a place now where it never snows
The absurd display of figures that belong in frigid settings
Might be viewed as a form of humor by some
Poking fun at the remaining true believers
