A Silent Night Poem by David Wood

The day is melting into evening,
A chill wind blows people to
Spend their money in the warmth
Of beckoning stores.

I see them trudging in the solid
Cold of winter as Christmas
Presents focus minds dull with
Cold, I must get, I must buy.

A huddled shape on the other
Side of the street holds an indigo
Hand out, 'spare some loose change'
Came from an equally indigo mouth.

Love doesn't enter his heart now,
Faces look down as they walk by
As the carol ‘Silent Night' sings
From my clarinet into closed ears.

This small soul begs for help that
Doesn't come, his only comfort is
In a half a can of stale beer by his
Side and a few pennes of charity.

The cold elements of a winter night
Will see him wrapped in yesterdays
News papers to keep warm, I stopped
Playing and gave him my coat.