Mole

Burrowing in greenest dell

Tunneling the hillocks’ swell

Wherein sleeps the gnome

In the dark, dig dirt and stone

Are these emeralds or men’s bones?

Sightless, cannot tell.

Through earth’s corridors I roam

Underground I keep my home

With the roots I dwell.

Evergreen

I am the tree in the corner, waiting.

Bedecked with gold, I’m hesitating.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, I know—

I’ve seen the holly and the snow.

 

I hide behind

My sparkling lights

This night is not

Like other nights.

 

My tinsel trembles,

Needles shake

When all else sleep,

I’ll be awake.

 

I’ll see the angels

Drifting down

To kiss the star

Upon my crown.

 

I’ll smile at our nativity—

Then do not tremble,

Christmas tree!

Cat

Cat

Gently she comes on ink stained paws

with stars like minnows in her jaws.

She lands like a whisper on my back;

her eyes are black, her tail is black.

She purrs around my feet and head

then curls beside me in my bed.

She yawns and swallows up the light:

She calls me warmth—I call her night.