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Values
by
H. O. Wells
jingled sleigh; a rhythmic trot
my squinted eyes and pink-red face
flushed by stinging wind bites
on the blizzard-drifted road
THERE!
I see the spires
of those gorgeous Douglas fir!
snow encased with weighted arms
bending from the burden white
…spiny drooping spears
in fading light
lanterns cast their searching beam
anguished angles probe the night
beyond the flowing, tilted crest
HOME I’ve found!…family, friends
and dog with wagging tail
prancing Fred,
…clomping hooves
on stable floor
and snorts on freezing air
safe again within the barn
crunchy hay and oats
his only need
now I trod the crunchy path
melting ice on frozen beard
mind is drifting…cold…so cold!
Christmas tree – that twinkling bright!
glasses raise when I come in
toasts to all the everythings
ANYTHING!
that keeps the goblets full!
well-intentioned raucous cheers
waves and smiles I give them - then
…a wince from clumsy feet
that step on mine
God! I am so hungry
…for love, for warmth
that waits for me
in lofts just up the stairs….
gentle fingers
soothe my brow
tender kiss
…her whisper in my ear
“Our children
need your lips
upon their cheeks...”
Cindy drapes my neck
with teeny kisses; tiny arms
Randy scoots around the floor
…sprawling wooden soldiers everywhere!
relish this, I think to me
think, then KNOW these treasured gifts
love of children, loving wife
…urgent hugs to father from the cold
on the porch
I tug on fur-lined gloves
squint into the winking white-on-black
ahh! my sweet dog, Ginger!
faithful collie
nudging on my thigh
again I trudge the slippery path
…and collie?
blur of frolic!
licks me wet, then skits through shadows
romping through the brisk and star-lit wind
barn door creaks -
[I slip on trampled ice]
curry-comb warm fingers
through Fred’s aging bulbous flank
loyal, patient, weary steed
friend
who brought me home
to all of this….
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