Seeking Essence
Christmas 2002

Beneath the Christmas sky,
In the calm, bright silent night,
I scan the stars
And send salutations across the universe.

The frosty air burns my throat,
I smile so hard I think I might cry,
And talk inwardly to those who have transitioned.
I thank them for all of their help -
For I am a lucky man.

Momentarily, I will step inside the warm, glowing house
And surround myself with the people I love most.
I will miss those who are somewhere else,
And toast them and their families.

In the meantime,
My eyes watch for Santa and his reindeer.
And though my chances of catching a glimpse are slim,
I could never get too old to hope to see
My essence of Christmas magic–
The jolly man himself.