By Jianna Beasley, Clarion Staff
every morning I awake
reluctantly trudging into school
peppermint hot cocoa makes it all worthwhile
thoughts of Starbucks make me drool
every morning I awake
and life drags on for a while
children awaiting their winter break
shouting “happy holidays!” with a smile
every evening I dare not sleep
at night, the neighborhood lights up
in the dark, reindeer and elves come to life
and inflatable Santas blow up
every evening I dare not sleep
because even though I don’t believe
there’s something in me that says I have to be certain
Santa will come this Christmas Eve
and when the morning finally comes
this morning long awaited
the lights on the tree, the magic, the sounds,
the sounds of children, elated
and one by one the gifts are unwrapped
paper and bows hitting the floor
shrieks and giggles of pure delight
when Santa brought them all they asked for