STAGE SETTING

How surreal have the holidays become? If you think about all the trappings too much, you can get carried away, or freaked out for sure. My kids are so enthralled by the magic: one-horse open sleigh ride (through a parking lot!), and sitting on Santa's lap (with beard falling off). My daughter was very upset when she was waiting in line to see him because she couldn't think of anything to ask for, so I made suggestions: peace on earth, health and happiness. Those wouldn't do. Finally, relief, she throught of something - roller skates. She had to think of something materialistic - that's how the system is set up. Meanwhile, my son was on his dad's shoulders trying to get our attention - pointing - tiny voice carried away above the holiday din. "Look, a twinkly star." Yes Liam - look.

On another very exciting note, my poem More About Blackberries will appear in the next issue of Verse Libre Quarterly (vlqpoetry.com). Thank you Rae Pater (whitejellybeanred.blogspot.com) for coming to MAAP and finding it. Merry Christmas to me!

Olde Time Holiday

for Mary Bailey

synthesized caroling (fa-la-la)
town crowds bandstand
sings him near (the Pied Piper
in reverse) countdown to light
the right angles of buildings
make the pine flash

send own children to sit
on the lap of a stranger
(in disguise no less)
listing items guaranteed
to lure them into his sleigh

I feel I’m in a movie
(and say so) and my mom
says she knows which one,
and we, in character,
run down the sidewalk
as the corner clock strikes

shouting, “It’s a wonderful life.”