In the spirit of the season, but also in response to Chel (I went first) I resurrected something I found in the archives and dusted off, much like the devout expressions of Christian faith which put on a pious expression and a pretty dress around this time of year only to return to the bottom drawer until Christmas.

I urge you all to enjoy the chocolate because, as you secretly know, nothing lasts forever.

*

God, I implore you to stop keeping score. Your clown can’t cope anymore at the circus. Call me gently down from the tightrope, this fragile string on which I dance and sing with coloured lights in my eyes. I prance and spin but to my surprise the crowd, so loud, are willing me to fall, or for you to make the call. To end it all. No chance to hear my cries above the roar. So easy to capsize upon this summit and plummet to the floor, to end the tease of the trapeze. One final flight from this height on this night. Gravity I can’t fight. Call an end to the light. Let it fade, let me trade it for the grey. The ending. Descending. Bon voyage, so they say. No rebirth. And come what may of life on earth.

*