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Christmas morning, sneaking downstairs

Christmas Eve, 
pulling at Mom’s curlers in my hair
wrestling into tights, bundled
in the car, dragging my finger 
across the frosted window

Dashing into pajamas, 
but not before Mom coaxes us into one more photo, in front of the Family Room tree—
and maybe one more with the Living Room tree

Fontanini’s Nativity set is rearranged 
as I marry Biblical characters underneath the grotto, paired
with newly adopted sheep pulled from the manger

Digging through homemade oatmeal cookies 
packaged in parchment paper, clutching my teddy bear 
as George Bailey peers over the bridge

Reindeer like carrots, I tell my parents
as I gather a couple handfuls to leave in our snow-blanketed front yard

Crossing my fingers, praying 
for a weenie dog in the morning, wriggling underneath 
a bed of red and green ribbons

Christmas morning,
sneaking downstairs 
as the sun slowly rubs its eyes 
and stretches its rays across the sky, yawning 
to welcome another frost-bitten sunrise

Presents wrapped colorfully underneath the glowing Christmas tree,
reflecting the tiny bulbs to create miniature spotlights, 
highlighting a dazzling haze of warmth cloaked
across the room, the other side illuminated
by the fish tank, creating a clashing medley of colors


****

Someday soon, we all will be together, if the fates allow
   becomes a plea instead of a carol, 
   as miles between us outnumber the years spent living under the same roof