what you didn't know

you waited,
all of you waited
at different windows
facing the snowy
street where his car
might pull up.
you imagined him
with an arm full
of gifts, a trunk
overflowing.
he would be wearing
his long black coat,
brushing the flakes
of snow
from his blonde
hair, his blue eyes
aglow with love
and affection for
his children.
you waited,
all of you waited
at different windows.
only your mother
refused to look.
she knew what you
did not know.