sweet potatoes

she misbuttons her blouse.
but you say nothing
it's late, it's dark
and cold outside.
you hand her her coat,
helping her arms
into the long sleeves.
thanks for bringing me
those sweet potatoes
and green beans
you tell her. they're
better the next day,
she tells you. just heat
them up. she feels her
ears for her earrings
and says, I think I left
them on the table
so you get them as
she stands in the door
shivering. here, you say,
then she slides them
into the pink skin
of her ears. happy
Christmas she says,
clicking her fob to find
where she parked
her car.