First published in Frogpond XVIII:4, Winter 1995, page 22. At the end are two additional winter poems that also appeared in the same issue.       +       +

 

 

 

lit up for Christmas

at the bed-and-breakfast:

beach-front palms

 

 

dense fog—

a Christmas song

on the carillon

 

 

traffic lights change—

a Christmas wreath in the window

of the Chinese market

 

 

 

firelight         in and out of tinsel

 

 

 

Christmas concert—

         in unison

the whole chorus inhales

 

 

snow on the landing—

my resolution

to meet more angels

 

 

                 *     *     *

 

 

            a chime of bells

            across the snowy field—

                          the horse’s breath

 

 

            toll booth lit for Christmas—

            from my hand to hers

            warm change