Long strings of lights fly through our winter nights
held by tall bamboo in Alex and Laura’s front yard.
Three pillars of light for the darkest days of the year,
waving long brightly colored arms in the gusting winds of December.
They greet us with joyful light
on this solemn day of long dark hours.
A sign.
Here comes Karen, bringing the mail,
bundled up for a long day’s journey –
rain hat, boots, postal service blue rain coat.
She bring bills, flyers, and magazines,
in spite of hard rain and blowing cold.
Hail, Karen and fare-thee-well this day!
A sign.
Upstairs, I’ve got my down coat on
looking out the window across Ann’s garden.
Where did all your flower’s go, your iris and your rose?
Gone with the winter winds and rain.
There’ll be another time to plant and prune, Ann,
today is a day for heralding the coming of light.

Portland, Oregon – December 2015