trimming the tree

they sing,
they bake, they put out a plate
of cookies and treats. it's
Christmas carols all day.
they take down the boxes
from the attic.
plug in the lights,
turning the tree
from left to right.
she does the ornaments,
he does the tinsel
and angel air,
together they place the star
at the top.
the whipped cream is
like snow on their mugs
of hot chocolate.
they turn down the lights
and sit together
on the sofa.
the fireplace burns bright,
the cat in their laps.
I get the feeling that
they've done
this before,
many times before and wish
that Christmas came
more than just once
a year.