How were the days before Christmas

Long ago

Huddled together, the fields full of mud

Hot and dusty by the fire

Cold and damp when you had to go out

No friendly lights as beacons through the bleak Midwinter

Hunger, and sleet

And hurting of feet

Long nights and dusky days

Nature no ally, but a foe

Waiting for everything to grow

Once more

It must have been a scary Christmas

Long ago