Wassailing
By Rowan
(Originally Published at Samhain 1996)
On the bitter cold and frost of a January night, with the stars
(street lights & CCTV Cameras) sparkling overhead in a clear sky, small groups of people, muffled against the chill, process down darkened paths
(back alleys) into orchards
(shop doorways) or to lone apple and pear trees
(lamp posts). Some may process in silence
(throwing up), others with as much noise as they can muster. Some may carry torches
(lighters) or burning brands
(Embassy Regal or B & H), others drums and shotguns
(knives and knuckledusters) or pots and pans
(pint glasses or bottles). In each case, one of their number will be carrying a ceramic vessel filled with a steaming brew of beer or cider
(or half a dozen bottles of Bud), carefully trying not to spill it, the steam from the bowl
(bowel) mingling with the cloudy breath of the participants spewing up......
Ahhh! Memories!
bha hum bug 
