I step into the day as I cross over the house,

turn on the coffee pot prepped from the day before.

Feeling the chill, I light the fireplace and pull my robe close.

I linger for a moment, until the coffee is ready.

I see the holiday lights on the neighbor’s lawn,

and the darkness on the houses next to it.

Picking up my cup, I settle into the couch and 

into my thoughts from the day before, missing loved ones.

Real Christmas Trees, creakier floors, tinsels that made messes.

the coffee was longer, and we were ok with that.

Holidays are a paradox of time that crescendos. 

into glimpse of all the feelings, loved ones, present and past.

I will soon get ready for the day and look to. 

a window of time for me to run …

CMM. 2023