never too early for the snow globe

it's too early

for Christmas, but i carry up

the small

tree from the cellar,

just the same,

and set it on the credenza.

i get the cob

webs off and kill the spiders

that run off

in all directions

with a spatula

from the kitchen.

it's a blue fir, 

with a string of white lights

that occasionally blink,

all fake

of course,

but it's been doused with

enough chemicals

to make it smell like a blue

fir all year round.

there's a star on top,

with tiny red and green ornaments

hung on the plastic

limbs.

it's a start, an early start,

and tomorrow

the snow globe that

plays music will be 

dug out of the box

and wound up again.