Christmas Candles

Tonight I want to light them all.
One for the honorable homesick
yet serving tours of duty,
the ones who still live and breathe.
Light one for the casualties gone
and for those yet to cme.
Another candle for the smallest
and most helpless discarded even now
to be rescued by random strangers.
Let the strangers light them one by one.
Put match to wick for Precious Doe
and all those like her, let the flame burn
till molesters, abusers, killers,
butchers are punished.
Provide the warmth of such a flame
for the family pet tethered in the
snow with no food and a bowl
of ice to drink.
Add one to dispel the reunion squabbles
and stress that comes from forgetting
the spirit of compassion and the
reason for this day.