Then I woke

   The dream died
   like the faded marrow ache
   once the door closes
   and the fire invades
   to rekindle the embers within.

and my eyes adjusted to the light.

Can we skip the bit where I'm not sure what it is you feel
where I wonder if the feeling that I'm feeling could possibly be real
where I’m asking whether someone as amazing as you could be feeling it too?

Can we dispense with the fear that what appears to be actually here is
a figment, a fiction based on a misread permission
a tarnished mirror hiding the terror of being seen this clearly by another?

Can we move on to the unguarded laughter and the freedom
to touch the surface of your face and the assurance
to reach across a within-our-reach shared space?

Can we stay in this moment for as long as this path takes us
from our past on into a future without masks
to where we nurture each other onto greater and to deeper?

Can we do that?

Herbie ain’t no herbivore
He’s more of a feasting guy
His taste buds are testy
His jaws are real itchy
For a succulent turkey thigh

No, Herbie is no herbivore
And when he’s in the kitchen
He’ll alway stay focused
Ready to show us
Food is much more than nutrition

Herbie is no herbivore
There’s more to life than greens
But it shouldn’t be said
That his mum and his dad
Haven’t taught him to love chilli beans

Herbie is no herbivore
This Christmas there'll be no doubt
He’ll feast like a prince
On pies filled with mince
And turkey and maybe a sprout

But are we the rabbit
Or are we the magician?

Oh, no, my dear
You've misunderstood.
We're the hat!
And there're many more wonders within!

Treacle-ly can sometimes be nice
Treacle-ly will always be sweet
But never when making decisions
Don't bring treacle when we meet

When does a gift given become a gift received?
If a gift is not accepted, is it a gift indeed?
If a gift is left unopened is the gifting actually achieved?

(Is a gift not a gift if it is rejected?
Does it lose its giftedness when refused or neglected?)

Does the gift itself retain some kinetic gifted energy?
Or does it need the active catalyst of reception
to truly be the gift that its giver intends it to be?

This Christmas be sure to accept your full responsibility
to receive with a fully open heart as well as open hands
this gift I give to you from me.

(I've left the receipt in the bag.)

No, I'm not hungry.
But my taste buds are testy
for tasty
My jaw is itchy
for chewy
My nose is tingly
for the aromatherapy
of rich and meaty

No, I'm not hungry.
But my stomach aches
for feasty.