This morning’s sky
Reminds me of
My uncle’s cigar
Many years ago
In Port Washington
Hanging there against
The backdrop of
His thin beard
The center glowed
Crimson almost winking
Surrounded by gray
Ash it hung
There then gone
Between his laughter
There then gone
Between the clouds
Soon to be
All but ash
As he stubbed
It out like
The sunrise does
To the dawn
It’s really only ever
The little simple things
Like the gurgle hiss
And spit of a
Kettle set to boil
As the first glow
Of day washes over
Last nights late snow
And chickadees bounce and
Bob skitter and slide
On the frozen birdbath
Like children wearing skates
As I spoon splash
And stir dark roast
Into a now warmed
Coffee press watching as
Grounds drop and emerge
Like we did that
One July day so
Very very long ago
In ponds out back
This is my morning
Of memories every day
And so it’s Christmas
I love this holiday
Even at my age
There’s something that happens
Around this time hope
Seems like it’s everywhere
I think that’s what
Christmas means to me
More than anything else
So I hope for
You wherever you are
When you read this
That whatever you wish
For will come true
Merry Christmas my friends
Oh how the nights
Are long a time
For lovers and dogs
This time dawn time
Is my absolute favorite
When both lovers and
Dogs stir one getting
Coffee and the other
Love sometimes I think
That one would prefer
To be the other
It is cold here
Here there and everywhere
It seems a time
Of reflection of gathering
Of friends and things
Of moving inward and
Away from the outside
Winter has a way
Of reminding me that
The warmest place of
All is my heart
Come friends sit near
And let our hearts
Warm each and everyone
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 