Ceske Vanoce

It's pronounced chess-keh vanot-seh
and means Czech Cristmas
A writer friend says it's important
to pronounce it correctly
when you're in someone else's country
and she's right
A huge tree in Old Town Square
with lights from top to bottom
the fifth in fifty years

You may think it's a lonely time
to be so far away
this time of year
But Christmas is very much the same
and everyone smiles a little more easily
in this country with the easy smile
Some ideas won't die
and Christmas is among them
in a country with religious lights put out

Yet they're on again and I am here to watch
this public celebration
of something that never stopped
but was better to be quietly observed
It's comfortable, more candle-lit and shy
and yet the shops are bright enough
But money's dear and families are close
more likely to give modest gifts
in this cobblestoned Ceske Vanoce