It was Christmas time and the oil lanterns

Threw strange mongrel shadows

Across the walls

Of the little one bedroom apartment

 

The oven was a warm harbor

Of love and safety

We had three or four

Lamps going in the kitchen

 

Little brother and I at the table

Cookie sheet of baked

Homemade play-dough Christmas ornaments

Pine trees and angels and stars

Testors model paints

Red green gold silver

And glue and glitter

With red and white

Pipe cleaners

Twisted into candy canes

Marshmallows and gum drops

And popcorn

Strung on strings

 

Between batches

Of ornaments

Sugar and cinnamon

Fried donuts

Cups of coffee

Cut with milk and chocolate

Big pot of soup for us

For the next three days

 

Decorated tree

Winking at us

From the lamp light

Stranger shadows

Festive elementals

Of childhood proof

Of Christmas miracles

To awaken to presents

Under our little homemade tree

 

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