Silent Celebrations

Whole town revels in a festive fervor
And the excitement refuses to die down
The tinkling bells, the soft glowing bulbs
The fresh holly hocks, the satin ribbons
All adore the numerous bustling shops

Kids cry for a yet another balloon
A young couple look for more bulbs
To deck up their Christmas tree laden with things.
Falling under the burgeoning weight of gifts
A girl goes tapping her heels

The ladies look for an embroidered gown
To be worn at the ball tonight
The men go from shop to shop
Looking for the most exotic flowers
To be put in the empty vases back home

Midst all the chaos and the colors
Deep down the alley where darkness creeps
In a house lit by a single lamp
Sit an old couple, wrinkled and pale
Celebrating silence, wanting nothing

They sit holding hands
Sans a fire crackling in the room
The woman's fragile hands into his bony ones
Deep inside, down there
They gaze and gaze
Looking for warmth in each other's eyes