not the common sybols of christmas

a squeeze box and a penny whistle
made music on my front step
with the windchill whipping negatives
two friends played with christmas spirit
they present a plate of cookies
and to another's house they went

a squeeze box and a penny whistle
are not the common symbols of christmas
the symbols i've never liked much
i like old men with white beards a bit cranky
and the red always seems too rosy
what would it be without pricetags
and glowing plastic baby jesus
is plain odd

but lately i love the subtle symbols
two friends, a squeezebox, a pennywhistle
and more friends and family who come home
because there's something to bring them all home
and why not a holiday
the times for packing in socials
good drink and good food and good hugs
people just need to be happy
to set aside a time to be merry
lift up their spirits and spread them
to the front steps of those who will welcome
music on a cold winter night