You hear music in the distance, off beyond the pines

Carolers are singing, the familiar Christmas tunes

As you walk crunching through the newly fallen snow

The sweet sounds get louder

The sleigh bells come near

And a horse drawn carriage crosses your path

There is much hustle and bustle

As people share in the holiday cheer

Friends laughing with each other

Enjoying this time of year

The smell of hot apple cider fills the air

Tastes of candy canes and hot chocolate linger in your mouth

Many colourful lights line the tree boughs

As people mill all about

You are enjoying all this scene has to offer

Yet you are detached, removed from it all

Immersed in the moment

But not wanting to get too close to any of it

The holidays are a wonderful time of year

So much to experience and enjoy

Families so full of love

But alone as the observer you stand

It’s safer this way

Less ways to get hurt

But yet never experiencing it to the fullest