A Christmas Touch — Image by kenne
Rain in the desert on Christmas Eve,
the kind that doesn’t wash anything clean,
just blurs the outside lights
and my nerves.
Some of the family visiting for Christmas —
the women feeding video poker
machines at Del Sol casino
their pensions and prayers,
one still face down in sleep
another out birding,
counting feathers instead of people,
as usual.
And me—
alone with a cup of black coffee,
on the table next to the laptop
with Alexa playing in the background.
They say this is how it goes.
They say this is normal.
But something’s crooked in the picture —
like a smile held too long,
like a joke nobody laughs at
because it’s too close to the truth.
Christmas keeps insisting
I should feel something.
All I feel is the rain
tapping the window
knowing I’m home
and doesn’t care who else isn’t.
— kenne
Merry Christmas, Kenne!
Joanna
Hi Kenne,
The “Festival of Carols” programming through midnight tomorrow at
http://www.allclassical.org
has provided a beautiful backdrop this season, and great accompaniment to writing, remembering, and gratitude.