eve of Advent

Somehow, we will hold on, through the gathering dark
of these longer and longer nights, 
to a spark.
And week by week, let the light grow, 
until in the darkest week of the year,
we let our hearts burst into flame
and shower drops of sleigh bell music
and liquid laughter,
and steady, softening rain of kindness
onto the world
to keep us alive through the winter.