a/n: A response to Hades' December challenge.
From cjnwriter - Why does Holmes hate holidays so much?
Heading Home
Through the icy streets of London,
Trudged a figure, deep in thought;
Heading home that winter evening;
(Case completed, villain caught).
~0~
As he walked, he glimpsed, through windows,
Baubles, trees and mistletoe;
Reminding him of Christmas days,
From recent past and long ago...
~0~
Childhood Christmas days remembered;
Early scenes so clear and bright;
Joyful family celebrations;
Household filled with warmth and light.
~0~
Shadows followed all too swiftly;
Tight-lipped father, tense and pale;
House bereft of light and laughter;
Mother, far too thin and frail...
~0~
Student Christmas days remembered,
Spent away from home; alone.
Christmas seemed the ideal time
For hours of research on his own.
~0~
A single card upon a shelf,
The only trace of festive cheer;
His brother's sparse, distinctive hand;
The same brief message, year on year.
~0~
Recent Christmas days remembered;
Quite devoid of sentiment.
Past experience had taught him
Time could be much better spent.
~0~
Not for him; a tree or wreath
To brighten up his dismal flat.
A day which passed like any other;
He desired no more than that.
~0~
This year, also, cheer avoided;
Festive fripperies ignored
From his Montague Street lodgings
(All he could, in truth, afford).
~0~
Christmas days without good will,
No family, friends nor celebration;
Every holiday observed
In cold, unfestive isolation.
~0~
Startled, as a thought flared briefly,
Flickered in the cold night air.
Could his jaundiced view be altered,
If he found a friend to share?
~0~
Through the icy streets of London;
Heading home as fresh snow fell;
Eighteen eighty almost over;
Next year?
Only time would tell...
~0~
a/n2: this is set a few months before "A Study in Scarlet" and the move to Baker Street