Three Christmas Tanka** Poem by Neil Young

i. Christmas Eve

Ill in bed, he sleeps;
His dreams, white as linen sheets.
Christmas day is near.
We abandon it this year;
Madness left to those insane.


ii. Christmas Day

Neighbours stay indoors,
Hide imperfections of an
Overrated day.
Walking empty streets alone,
I'm drunk on winter's silence.


iii. Boxing Day

Outside HMV,
With my Christmas voucher spent,
I wait for you. Crowds
Drift by. Pale, snowdrift faces
Share phoney laughs, limp handshakes.