Can you taste Christmas on the winter wind
watching the grey snow clouds gather
smoke drifts from the tall, tall chimneys
you can taste the kindling in the air

Heavy clouds break under the strain
white flakes fall on the face
of the red cheeked children
excited
as they leave school for the winter break
later, snowmen gather in the streets
coal black eyes
mother’s collecting their vegetables off their sad faces
as the children play on frosted fields

Silence gathers
as golden light shines through the tired wooden windows
night falls
peace
until the morning light brings more snow
the children are barred until breakfast is done  
then the sky is lite with the voices of all
the happy children
playing

You can taste Christmas on the winter wind