Holiday

falls brief stay
has given way
to winters cold winds
bare trees throwing bleak shadows
across barren fields of brown and gray
inside, the dog quietly chews his rawhide
while mom is in the kitchen
strenuously preparing dinner
she whips the potatoes like a human tornado
these potatoes will not have any lumps
she promises her family
I sit quietly by the fire reading a book
and listening to the burning wood
and how it resembles a tree limb snapping off
when its time to eat
mom says, "gather 'round"
we say a quick prayer
and then we all chow down
when our bellies are full
we will sit on the couch
and listen to each other
tell jokes of one another
when the joking is done
we will all go home
and wait for sound
of the white haired jolly fellow's reindeer
to clomp on top of the house
pyramids of presents are
then put under the tree
two for you and four for me.