everything i used to know

i see the young husband

dragging

his tree through the snow.

he waves as i

clear the walk.

his child

behind

him, picking up the small

end.

i see his wife

with bags of gifts, groceries.

and between her lips,

a tattered christmas list.

i watch them as they go in

across the court yard.

i see the tree go up, the lights

go on.

i see the child looking out

the window

of his upper room,

then the mistletoe

goes up, 

one hammer blow

before the door is closed,

and i see the young

husband, his beautiful

wife, how they embrace,

and kiss.

it's everything i used

to know.