Widowed 36 Years - Dec. 24, 2021

my mother knows

it’s that time of year to

hear the Salvation Army bell

set up that winter scene

of skaters on a small mirror

search for grandchildren gifts

postpone then never write greeting cards

find that pile of love letters

with smiles on the envelopes

that she'll pull out and open

this 36th Christmas morning

the 36th time she’ll also note

the dreariness of the clanging

by the ear-muffed man guarding

that cold kettle of donations

for the less fortunate