Theme: Working Over the Holiday
Far up in the mountains in the country of flame
Nestles a small, shinobi village on a tree-covered plain
Between the bright colored houses all covered with snow
On a narrow drifted sidewalk 'neath streetlights aglow
A pony-tailed man hefted his bag full books
As his face set in a deeply resigned look
Others gather with friends around a brightly lit tree
And sing carols in drunk voices brimming with glee
Drink eggnog, trade presents, and offer well wishes
And sometimes, if lucky, give mistletoe kisses
And curl before the fire in their lover's embrace
But not the pony-tailed man with the scar on his face
For too many years, he spent Christmas alone
A fact that unfortunately was all too well known
His boss always took advantage of the whole situation
And suggested that he choose to postpone his vacation
To spend Christmas Eve at the desk in the Hokage tower
For any shinobi who returned home at the eleventh hour
"Bah humbug," He muttered as he collapsed in the chair
And tried to ignore how much he just didn't care
For hours, he watched the second hand tick by
Wondering how the holiday had gone so awry
With seconds to spare, an ANBU arrived
And reported in, though he looked sleep deprived
He took his own sweet time as he wrote on the page
Seemingly unconcerned they might die of old age
"Look, it's late in the evening on Christmas eve
And I'd like to get home, though that's difficult to conceive
The forms aren't that complicated, so let's pick up the pace!"
Snapped the pony-tailed man with the scar on his face
His voice was laced with the utmost frustration
And did very little to improve the situation
Thirty minutes later he emerged onto the street
And stepped out into a chill downpour of sleet
Very depressed, he trudged back home through the snow
Beneath the streetlights that had long ago ceased to glow
Under a moon hung high in the dark, frigid air
And he wished that someone waited for him there
The door to his apartment sat slightly ajar
The light spilling out like a bright blazing star
He pushed the door open and blinked in surprise
And felt the slightest of tears prick the corners of his eyes
Garlands of lights had been strung everywhere
And the smell of baking cookies still hung in the air
A wide-boughed tree stood just inside the door
Decorated in kunai, shuriken and lights by the score
Brightly wrapped presents were stacked underneath
And hung from the door was a snow-covered wreath
"You're home!" He exclaimed as he stepped in out of the snow.
"Is the mission over already? I expected you tomorrow."
The man didn't answer, but pointed upwards instead
At the mistletoe hanging just over their heads
The kiss was sweet, so gentle and kind
Erasing the worries that had preyed on his mind
Fingers tangled desperately into silver hair
Until they were driven apart by intense need for air
"Merry Christmas." The silver-haired man said with a smile.
"Work must have run late. I've waited a while.
But I kept myself busy." He indicated the tree
And the tinsel and stockings and even a hot pot of tea
"Merry Christmas." He returned and fell into the welcome embrace
Life truly was good for the pony-tailed man with the scar on his face.
OOOOOOOOOO
aaaand, this is why I don't write poetry...ever...
This seemed like such a good idea at the beginning, and once I got started, I was loathe to stop.
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone!
And thanks so much for all the comments and support during this challenge