DRAMATIS PERSONAE Santa Claus: a midwinter icon Hans Muff: a satyr The Boy: a curious lad The Archangel: a herald Befana: an old woman The Reindeer: an animal Chorus: peasants, angels     INT. A PARLOR ROOM   A boy is seen in a chair, reading a book. BOY    Santa Claus is very big and fat. He’s got a red suit and a white beard. He brings you many gifts, but not if you’ve been naughty. He sometimes frightens children, bu...

I usually appreciate the winter solstice, because I love the mysterious chilly nights and the warm lights that stave it off from inside houses. Warm glasses of tea while gazing into the dark sky by the fire reflecting on life and love and blessings. But this year has been so difficult for so many reasons that I am carrying too much darkness, and the early nights are gut-wrenching. How can one feel loved and still feel alo...

Sappy. That’s exactly what it was. Kyle could feel it as he said it. He knew the absolutely absurd pick up line he was using was probably the most desperate-sounding plea for attention he had ever said. “Hey baby, I heard the Solstice has the longest night of the year. Perhaps I could spend it with you, maybe?” He had asked hopefully. Kyle knew it wasn’t going to work, he had held that thought in his mind even before he m...

After her 20th pill, the water tasted bitter and she gagged involuntarily. She wanted to pee now, having drunk at least three glasses of water. Whether it was the anti-depressants taking effect or just the numbness which had enveloped her; she didn’t know, but couldn’t get herself up to go to the bathroom. She simply sat on her bed, waiting for something to happen. She wanted to cry but was shocked that she couldn’t. Sure...

December 22, 2015 Ricky breathes deeply as he walks through the park. The air, sweetened by the scent of pine and cooled by the fallen snow, refreshes his lungs and spirit. It’s barely evening, yet it’s already dark out, the sun having slipped below the horizon. The snow on the ground is new and untrodden. It casts a luminous blanket all around, as if flying above the clouds at night. He and Crystal are all alone in the p...

 Connor Mulrooney sauntered into the members-only back room of the North Philly Irish Pub with his usual swagger, grabbed a Guinness and settled into a seat that may as well have held a Reserved sign. His chair, the one he always occupied during their weekly gatherings, notably sat right next to Billy’s — not that Connor or anyone else expected the boss to show up. He rarely did anymore, not since "The O’Sullivans," the t...

Standing here looking out at the frozen approaches to the islands in the channel nearby and it seems that most of my days lately have blended into a single theme. Just like that single road I have followed as the days turn into night. With there being times I have been standing quietly watching all passing me by, as the days just seem to be flowing by. Seeing the dawn’s dark light and having it feel as though it is too br...

“Are you afraid of the dawn?” she asks, watching him with a half-smile on her face as he scrambles around the room, frantically pulling down the curtains. The new darkness bathes them both in soft candlelight. It smoothes out her angular lines and eases the sharpness of his jaw. But even gentle light cannot take the edge off a soul, and he grinds his teeth, while her nails tap out a nervous rhythm on her wine glass. “I’m...

“Momma,” 9-year-old Kaiah asks, “When I'm done grinding the corn, can I go over to Shumana's to visit before dinner?” Manci looks over at her daughter and shakes her head. “No my dear. It's no time for a little girl to be out after dark.” “But why?” was the immediate response. “You know perfecting well why. Tonight is Kyaamuya.” Her mother reminded her. “ It is a sacred time . The night is filled with mystery and power. H...

You’re probably wondering where the voices in your head come from. I’m here to set the record straight. I wasn’t always so opinionated, but now I must speak up. Some call me the man in the moon. Well, that’s your easy definition! I’m neither man nor woman; I’m your conscience. You know the old saying: “Let your conscience be your guide.” Not many adhere to this; fewer today are listening to my sage advice.Sometimes I just...

I stand alone in the quiet early morning nightThe cold December moon, while low, is still brightHer comforting light reveals your face to meI always find you when I look upon her, you seeAs this last autumn breeze kisses my faceI feel your gentle hand upon my heart in this placeThe shadows of the morning quiet surroundAs if the peace the world sought has finally been foundI turn and face the points of the compass roseAnd...

Love and hate, hand in hand, light, the shortest amount todayDarkness, winter coming, daylight ending way too soonDepression, lethargy waiting to set in and get in my waySolstice is a day of pain and hope for me as I await the return of the sun's raysIn the darkness I can ruminate about life and chances not takenLasting so long this day of the year, my mind races and runsI take advantage of the night's long length to test...

The Civil War isn’t over yet. The Crusades begun a thousand years ago have not been won, and when I read about another Drone, another soldier’s suicide, another stone thrown at a women’s head, another prison being built to rid the streets of anyone who might be one of them, or smoked a joint, or didn’t have his papers in his pocket, I look up at you, Dear Sun and want to cry and not feel shame, and wish that I knew innoce...