shakespearean decorum

alack and alas, christmas is past
and the yule tree still up? it’s nearly
epiphany! to (let it) be or not to be
is the overly-decorated question?!
(gaze on yon three mrs. butterworth
glass sages, trussed in bold felt and
trimmed with glittery pipe cleaners)
yet forsooth, i know in truth that
all that glistens is not (fool’s) gold;
come now forthwith, be great in act
and i shalt de-decorate manor thus!
oh boxes, boxes, wherefore art thou?

Written in response to Jane Kenyon’s “Taking Down the Tree” and Megan Willome’s “De-decorating and Hamlet”.

epiphany 2015

David

plays the vigil

on piano as i read

passages

from old testament;

quilted stars

shine

across table runner

below window.

sangria

scented candle

flickers,

light of the world

illuminates

simple wooden

creche;

its characters,

sewn of soft felt,

arranged by

young child’s hands

to encircle and gaze

at a holy babe,

God

wrapped in

helpless humanity.

white lights,

silver and gold spheres

on Christmas tree

sparkle

in bow window.

glittering star

on treetop

points to sunrise

enlightening;

warm pinks

on cool

blues

of earth’s pale

winter

sky.

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