THERE’S AN UNFILLED STOCKING BY THE FIREPLACE

            THE LIGHTS SEEM DIMMER ON THE TREE

            THERE’S ONE LESS SETTING AT THE TABLE

            AN EMPTY CHAIR WHERE HE SHOULD BE

            THERE HE’D JOIN THE LIVELY CONVERSATION
            AND RATTLE OFF A JOKE OR TWO

            BUT THAT WAS LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS

            COLOR THIS ONE BLUE

            THERE’S A BED UPSTAIRS WITHOUT A WRINKLE