forgetting

to set a timer —

baking by scent

long-awaited sun —

the looks on their faces

her favorite present

Meetinghouse carols —

we silently agree to sing

all of the verses

Trump Tower —

holiday sidewalk cheer

suddenly in shadow

last year’s card —

her handwriting

still here with us

while I’m gone

she surrenders, adding

one more string of lights

Solstice wind —

carrying the sound

of the day’s last train

long cold nights —

I welcome

your distraction

the first snowball

I tried to bring inside

to show my mom