turbulent winds woke me at midnight

was that a runaway train I heard

or the roar of a 747 skimming our rooftop?

minute by minute, hour after hour—

as sleep eluded me, at last I turned on the light

burgundy ribbed tights, velvet pinafore

a single spotlight, the hushed crowd

8-year-old Allison steps up to the microphone

light pouring down from above

impossible to reckon from how far

this lovely December warmth

December’s midpoint

children ache for Christmas morn

still a really long time to wait!

paralysis of fallen leaves

an icy surround

neighbor’s Christmas lights

flicker and strobe

cold morning hands

steaming Christmas mug of chai

its warmth begins to fade

clean & gleaming brightly

December snow

falling lightly, lightly

the shine of the day

its warm, crisp light

bursts through

our southern window