Remember last Christmas Eve
When we sat next to our first tree
Ornaments reflected light

Of a candle in the night

And I gave you a music box

Back then that seemed like so much
We watched it go round and round
As the melodies unwound


But all these things are now long gone
And not to be wished upon again


But the musical box continues to turn
The candle in the window continues to burn

But I know they're just memories
Like Christmas past and you and me


Remember that old fireplace
That held the room in warm embrace
And as we watched for Christmas ghosts

The fire held the shadows close

But now upon that Christmas scene

The candle wax of melted dreams
And ornaments of shattered glass
Now belonging to the past


But all these things are now long gone
And not to be wished upon again


But the musical box continues to turn
The candle in the window continues to burn

But I know they're just memories
Like Christmas past and you and me


BEHIND THAT SINGLE LETTER
WAS A WEATHERED PHOTOGRAPH
OF THAT MAN IN THE ARTICLE

BUT FROM SOMEWHERE IN HIS PAST

AND STANDING THERE BESIDE HIM

IN A SETTING SUMMER SUN
WAS THE LADY WHO USED TO OWN THIS HOUSE
ONLY HERE SHE WAS QUITE YOUNG


SHE HAD MOVED TO A SMALLER PLACE
THAT WAS ONLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR

AND THEN THE CHILD NOTICED SOMETHING ELSE
THAT SHE HAD MISSED BEFORE


THIS LETTER HAD NO STAMP IT SEEMED
AND WAS SURELY NEVER SENT
AND AS SHE SAT UPON THE FLOOR

THAT CHILD SHE WONDERED WHAT IT MEANT

THEN THE ANGEL WHISPERED TO HER

A MOST IMPORTANT FACT
THAT FOR COMPASSION TO BE REAL
IT REQUIRES ONE TO ACT


THEN ONCE AGAIN THAT CHILD CAME UP
WITH A CHILD'S IDEA

BUT SHE KNEW SHE MUST ACT FAST
FOR TIME, IT WAS GROWING DEAR


SO TAKING THAT ARTICLE BACK DOWNSTAIRS
SHE FOUND THE KITCHEN PHONE
AND CALLED UP INFORMATION

TO FIND THE NUMBER OF HIS HOME

AND WHEN HE PICKED UP THE RECEIVER

SHE QUICKLY TOLD HIM QUITE ENOUGH
TO KNOW WHO WAS WAITING ON THIS NIGHT FOR HIM
AND THEN THE CHILD, SHE JUST HUNG UP


THEN TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE WAS AWAKE
SHE TOOK A QUICK LOOK DOWN THE HALL
THEN SHE FOUND HER NEIGHBOR'S NUMBER
AND REPEATED THAT SAME CALL