The doors are closed and the fire is lit
As winter pushes its cold, stiff fingers into the cracks
Silvery frost silently grows on sleeping grass and solid stone
And the puddles harden and become still

Chestnuts cook on the open fire
As the wood smoke soars into the clear black night
Proud against the twinkling lights from the beginning of time
And unearthly moonlight picks out stark outlines in the night

Presents are wrapped in festive paper
As outside the hunt for life goes on
Hedgehog, bat, owl and fox
Ply their necessary bloody trade

Excited children snuggle slowly down
As frozen flakes drift slowly earthwards
Freezing night time hopes
And covering sins and practice

All is quiet inside the warm, expectant house
While those with no home may survive
Finding insufficient shelter
With insufficient food