Red Christmas

Outside -- 

cold wind rattles glass windows 
maple trees are bare of leaves 
               & snowdrops 

Inside -- 

presents still unwrapped 
Christmas carols waft with herbs 
              & fragrant fruits  

Under -- 

neath the sheets, 
I snuggle to read words - past, present 
             & possibilities 

the morning 
gifts rebirth, joyful and bright as red 
            (&) poinsettias

Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Poetics of Presents/ce ~ Hosted by Karin Gustafson 

Wishing you a bright Holiday & Blessed Christmas ~  

Thanks for all the gifts of encouragement and support for the year ~ 

Red poinsettias here, white blooms in my other blog.

Picture credit @ Scarlet Verses

Christmas star

the winter of content
drapes her thin shoulders
as she prepares their late dinner
sprinkling pepper on casserole
warming kitchen fire, 
she hums a christmas song


the days are shorter now,
folding under bed of snow
slumbering nights envelops
house in mellowed lantern sky
frosted windows peek ceiling of
red bells, cones and festive boughs


paring small potatoes and carrots
she muses on months past,  
when he got his pink slip from
his work, and she too lost her job.
with a sigh, she gathers vegetable
stirring them in the boiling soup.


outside, the cold breeze stings his face.
finding work in the factory has been 
a tasteless mutton on his plate, but mounting 
bills must be paid, so he toils and waits
for the clock to sigh it was time to go.   
gathering thick coat, he trudges his truck 
through the slippery road, a long journey home.  


lighting the advent candles, she rearranges
home baked cookies, cheese, ham and fruits in
season’s platter.   a luxury in these hard times,
but she insisted on a nice dinner, specially 
christmas eve.  her hands linger on the table linen,
as she waits for her husband to arrive home.


the old brick house glitters in purple night
white dust swirling, he opens the front door
shrugging off the day's bitterness from his voice,   
he calls out a hearty greeting, "I'm home."
the aroma of home cooked food welcomes
and warms his ice numbed hands. 


taking off his woolen scarf, he embraces her,
saying, "I have a surprise for you."   


laughing she extends her hands in excitement  


he places a brown box wrapped in red ribbons near
pine decorated tree.   he looks at her, his heart racing


her eyes are shining, radiant bright 
as she peels away paper tissues 
to hold the classic books she always wanted to read.


her long hair is gone, skin pale from
chemo sessions, and frail from weight loss.   
but her fierce spirit radiates, and 
so does hope... fluttering, sparkling in his chest.


she is still the brightest star in his life

Posted for Romantic Friday Writers:   Challenge is Sparkle - Word limit:  400.  
Happy Holidays and thanks for the visit.

Update:   Thank you to Romantic Friday Writers for choosing me as Featured Writer for this post.

This Christmas

this Christmas

draw silk curtains close

blow off the apple scented candles

untie blue velvet ribbons

unwrap all my gifts

whilst the music plays our

favorite holiday songs

bring down the golden star

from pine scented tree, under

red plump berries and evergreen holly

kiss my chocolate dusted lips,  

tinder the chimney hearth    

this Christmas

Posted for Flash Fiction Friday:   Tell a story in 55 words - for the G-man.  Just a fun write from me about the holiday.    Also posted for Poets United:   The Thursday Think Tank:   
Thanks for the visit ~ 

picture credit:  here

Just you and me

The green painted tree is lighted up

Gold and silver trimmings skirted around

Red and blue balls strung in festive dance

Bright greeting cards hanged in the wall

The cone crusted holly placed atop the alcove 

Holiday tunes crooning in the background

The red huge socks by the chimney bricks

Eagerly awaits for your fill of goodies,  

As I did write to you I have been a good girl

I wipe away chocolate crumbles on my chin, 

And traces of milk around my pale lips

My holiday wish list is really short this year

Just you and me, in front of the warm fireplace

I really need to tell you, I have grown up  

Author's Note:   Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - doors open every Tuesday at 3 pm EST.   My saddest Christmas came when my youngest child said she didn't believe in Santa anymore.   Now I am relieved she knows it is the spirit of giving that matters most - and real conversations - the best gifts ~

Thanks for the visit ~

Picture credit:  here