Feliz Navidad

By Kithmi Gunaratne 

The glistening lights beam 

In pathways and crossroads 

The giggles of little children 

Down snowy paths 

Spreads like wildfire.

Snowman and reindeers

Santa Claus and the sleigh rides 

The joy of gifting.

The essence of love.

Will it all last forever? 

Why is it that only festivities make us remember?

To visit our homes and trace the lost roots,

To touch and feel our loved ones

And lay gentle kisses on their foreheads.

Christmas that brings joy and laughter 

Also showers others with nostalgia.

Underneath the soft dew covers of the snow

There are heartbreaks and lonely Christmases 

Lonely children, lonely parents, forbidden lovers 

And dirty secrets.

If we could go back in time 

And spend Christmas once more 

As little children who knew nothing 

But only the fantasies of Santa and his sleighs 

We could be celebrating a more blithesome Christmas 

Singing carols and relishing turkey 

If only we could for one last time 

Wholeheartedly; wish our kith and kins 

“Feliz Navidad.”