Footprints

[taier]

We gathered, all, before the fire
reminsiscent tales and yarns transpire
of memories and years since past
of family; friends; time moving too fast

And in that room, our bonds were firm
no raises voices or faces stern;
our differences, forgotten then
as we were together again

Something about this time of year;
we forgive; forget; become sincere
despite our faiths and our beliefs
it's all bypassed, though the lapse is brief

Men of every faith and creed
forget their hatred, grudges and greed
and to some extent, though thin the span
there's peace on earth and good will t'wards man

And in this room, where we all stood
of reunited friendships and brotherhood
the room was warm with hearfelt cheer
as poured the wine, eggnog and beer

For the past year, silence reigned
bonds of blood and friendships strained
months slipped by without a word
as life's small fanfares went unheard

Rivalries of siblings, strong
memories of what once went wrong
friendships lost in gaps of silence
and even fights and words of violence...

All forgotten inside this house
anger, grudges; we supress and dowse
instead we raise our glasses high
for the time that we are gathered nigh

But, once the darkness of night falls
and we leave the shelter of these walls,
as we go our separate ways
the bonds and truces all lie razed

Another year will pass us by
until then, sentiment runs dry
anger, grudges are forged and fueled
battles fought and conflicts dueled

And silence falls across our lips
life's fanfares lost in eclipse
of the darkness which befalls us all
through the spring and summer, into fall

Until next December when we gather
to meet and drink and joke and blather
and for a small time, friendships renewed,
the fights and differences again subdued.

It doesn't have to be this way,
this annual good will cliché-
We can stand together throughout the year...
My door is open, and I'm always here....