What's It About For You, Then

What’s it about for them, then Loneliness, poverty, pain Bang of the bailiff at the door Death in a ditch in the rain What is it like for the Joneses Bigger and better you think Posh port and pigs in blankets Sick in the kitchen sink What’s it about for him, then A clock, and an empty chair Picture of her on the mantelpiece Candle smoke curls in the air What is it like for her, do you think Hairdo and heels and hurrah Hampers and champers from Harrods Packed in to Daddy’s car What’s it about for the Christians The return of the sacred child Under a star in a stable bare Jesus, meek and mild What is it like for the Druids, then Stood in the circle at dawn Frost on the moss on frozen stone Lit by the sun reborn What’s it about for the children Mysterious, glittery, bright Hope of a mythic benevolence Come as a thief in the night What is it like for us, then Rushing and spending and stressing Cursing the souls in the queue at the till Or kissing a friend with a blessing What will it be like for you, then Whatever you will it to be Riotous ostentation, or Peace and sweet charity What it’s about for me is this One white and holy dove The silence after the shops have shut And love © Gail Foster 3rd December 2016