Dawn

December twenty fourth

and the flakes were

less falling than hanging

but falling yes

turning unrushed white crystalline

cartwheels

through New England space

not quite suspended animation

more like a lovely lazy cartoon

near perfect

like an improvement on something

from my childhood

because it wasn't all ugly with you

and more beautiful

than the choreography of snow

outside the window

was the slow dance of the

reds and greens and blues

in your eyes

and your glass

and your ice

colors from a Charlie Brown tree

colors warming skin

as much as that old heater

or our proximity

because it wasn't all cold with you

and more wonderful still

the next morning

Christmas morning

you woke me up

with a steaming cup of coffee

strong and nutty and crayon brown

just the way I take it

and led me back

to the living room

a cathedral of candles

literally hundreds of little flames

spitting twinkles upon every surface

cinema shadows on every wall

because it wasn't all dark with you

still don't know how you pulled it off

a gesture overfilled with such magic and mischief

and love

yes

love