Alcohol has the interesting effect of reversing the night and day process. Our worries seem worse at night, tormenting us in darkened rooms behind closed doors, until the fresh breeze carries them away the next morning, and we can smile again. And yet when we drink, the night becomes alive, filled with endless possibilities as we deny the existence, and delay the onset of, the following morning. The cold light of day sheds light on our actions in a way that blinds us, consumes us until it's all we can do to fight the urge to hide under the warmth of our duvets for the rest of the day. A complete reversal of the "normal" process. Well, either way we get screwed, don't we?

For the first time ever I feel a million miles away from you, and that scares me.

Christmas Wonder You know how I said I can't feel Christmassy anymore? You know how I said that Christmas hasn't been the same since Santa stopped coming? I said the magic's gone, the sparkle's gone And Christmas is just another day. But did you know That since you've been mine, Christmas is magical again I can sing carols and be dazzled by lights I can look out at the snow with joy because I'm warm inside with you I buy your presents with the same happiness as that with which I would open my own I look forward to kissing you under the mistletoe, I can't wait to kiss you on New Year's Eve And promise another year like the last. Thank you, For bringing wonder into my #life once again

The Warmth Of Winter The flowers won't grow in winter And the birds have all flown away The house is as still as a church On this bitter, frosty day Outside it's refusing to snow But there's plenty of ice on the ground I can see my breath in the air And feel the chill all around All around me the campus is empty Not a person nor creature to be seen Buildings locked up for the season And no bicycles parked in between So I go home and the pipes have frozen There's no heat and no hot bath for me Just a blanket and some bottled water... Just enough for one warming cup of tea So what do I like about winter? Why is it still my favorite time of year? It's cold and wet and dark And never does summer feel less near Well I'll tell you now, dear reader Why I love winter so It's really quite very simple And I'll explain why below When I've drank my tea and feel quite full I hear the buzz of the door. Outside my window he stands Hat, scarf, coat and more I let him in to see me And though the breeze he brings in is cold He fills the room with warmth And stretches a gloved hand out for me to hold I drag him into the living room And he skillfully lights a fire in the grate I cuddle up to him under the blanket In our world, and in our place And as we exchange stories and swap secrets Laugh and giggle at each other's jokes I know exactly why I love winter And that's being with the one I love. For winter needn't always be so chilly Needn't always feel so cold It gives me reason to cuddle up closer To the one I love, and forever will hold.

Home To Love And Country Staring out the window of the aeroplane that carries me home All I see is sky, and a wing black against the rising sun I am traveling home to my love and my country Traveling across timezones, the sky a glowing orange. It is filled with swept snow, glistening in the light of a new day An exciting day. I am returning home I will see him for the first time in a long time My nerves must surely be annoying my neighbour, For I can feel them radiating out through my skin, covered as it is by a cheap blanket I miss dinner and breakfast, forcing myself into a restless slumber Moving 6 hours ahead, but time is not moving quick enough Finally. He waits at arrivals And wears a smile in his eyes that says everything I feel I am home with my love And all is well again.