must be december

big storybook flakes
coming from the south--
not the usual direction

but things are out of joint
for this girl today,
or, all days.

when no gifts have
been bought, no
cards of artificial
cheer sent, maybe
the snow will block her view
of the road.

yesterday her husband took
the boy to an indoor park
at the mall,
while she watched live
reports from omaha,

once we stop believing
in the jolly man in the red
suit, this season is simply too hard.

even the sweetest memories
hurt, so as the mistletoe and spiced
nog work their limited charm,
we seek familiar shelter in the midst
of the latest storm.