the year comes to a close
few more days of cheer
fill our stockings

red green and gold
color everywhere
display of lights

the hunt for presents
visible at the mall
no price too high

on the holy day
eat drink and chat
little too much

year after year
the same rituals
followed to the letter

anchored in
the collective mind
the illusion of Santa

sleigh reindeers the works
the story that never
gets old

no talk of when
or if ever will
Santa retire