Reflections in Solstice

In the aftermath

A sigh of calm

Toys abandoned round the tree

“That’s curious!?”

Tangled bows and ribbons

Wadded present’s foil wrap

Once held imagination 

Now destine for the trash

“Isn’t that ironic?”

First shards of sun sends rainbows 

Shimmering through prisms of frosted glass

Evaporating at the sweeping touch

Of east light 

Pulling focus

“Ahhh!”

December strikes her brush

Across the canvas

A landscape draped in winter lace

Earth’s table set for the season

My speechless pause a prayer of awe

A vision to embrace

The giggles and screams of bundled children

Chime first through solstice silence 

Like gentle coo of morning doves

They bid the dawn that rises

“So that explains their exodus.”

Yule snows float like priceless diamonds 

Kissing cheeks and chins 

Till one flake falls on each small tongue

A ritual of seasonal communion

“Hmmm, and what’s this?”

Across the street

The excuse of mistletoe 

Garlands the doorway into shy hearts

Smiling faces flush

Cold nose tips touch

A weightless breath upon soft lips 

Gently forming to their hope

Melts into the thirst of a first kiss 

Longing for more

“Now where did they go?”

The youngest’s head peeps out

Then quickly dips below the drift

Like chimney smoke 

Their billowed breath 

Ties silken cords to heaven

Lying on their backs

Eyes to the sky

They part the silver nap

Impressions left to mirror the soul

Their horizontal jumping jacks

Form angel’s imprints on the snow

While here inside, the warming fire 

Now draws my gaze entranced

In casts of gold and crimson hue

Its colors dance impromptu

As flames incant my whispered vows 

And trumpet up the flue

Soft music in Noels 

Float on the atmosphere 

Bright candles burn with cinnamon

‘Mid scent of evergreen 

Each harmonize and mingle

With aromas of the feast

The tree light constellations shine

My life would set its bearing by 

Glass ornaments mirror the Christmas scene 

As frozen into mind

Capturing each moment 

Into fixed bubbles of time

A snow ball hits the window--Bang!

I start, I turn, and tap the pane

They rise and wave their flag of truce

In brightly colored mittens

I fog the glass

Our smiles exchange

My finger squeaks to write the same

I LOVE YOU!

A brief acknowledgment

Then back to play 

Like rhythm in a rhyme

Oblivious to their audience 

As I have been to mine

On my shoulder I feel her hand 

Sealing the connection

No need to turn

No thought to shift

Our eyes meet in reflection

No comments

No words

We simply take it in

Suspended in her soft perfume

I turn and levitate

Inside her eyes my star is raised

That guides in wisdom to this place

“Merry Christmas, Honey.” 

Across the tongue my heart echoes 

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”