This
tree
stands –
lights and
ribbons encircling –
like a million other trees.
(remember the popcorn
and cranberry strings? Paper
chains and brightly decorated cookies?)
look! what a cacophony of ornaments!
laughing like stars –
they silently chart our course
across a lifetime.
oh cats, where has the time gone?
In winter the blackest of nights cloak the heavens exploding their brilliance Millions of unseen shards fall earthward through the atmosphere – the air so dense, it takes one’s breath away At first light gnarled and scattered waste of seasons past glisten for a moment under last night’s carpet of frost – Soon, all will…
‘In the city’ where music danced on the night lights we dashed store to store over snowbanks, between cars through crowds of people across the cobblestone streets trying to avoid puddles of slush – don’t slip! meet. regroup and divide. meet again outside under the Shepard clock closely guarding our Christmas secrets only the constant…
In comes tree (bearing the faint chill of a Chesapeake December) Shake loose its branches and gather round to mark the end of another year! Catching scents of pine and cinnamon Annie slowly, tentatively settles on the green chair to oversee decorating from a distance Hot mulled cider tastes especially good on a night such…
I remember paintings larger than life bold, bright colors everywhere in contrast to the quiet house Dreary Seattle days found you hands stuffed in jacket pockets wavy blonde hair dancing down the street – though not like the affected young Harkness dancers who advertised their artistry striking a pose along the seaside Married, yes and…
We rootless, searching whisper prayers of Christmas hopes silently, snow falls and there is Peace Firstborn, checking lights shares the magic of Christmas with his patient easy smile Bear proudly announces “I’ve bought all my presents!” while butterfly daughter, busy ‘making’ knows Santa really does exist Dad seeks refuge in the garage listens to laughter –…
Didn’t understand but listened built an ark loaded animals two by two Cold, wet smelly, nauseating crowded, stifling drifting, drifting day after day, two by two Rain stopped water receded everyone disembarked slowly life began again Seeds and flowers sun and rain nurturing and time to grow Two by two As we reach the shores…