– 46 –

Of Christmas and Storms

To enter the spirit of Christmas
pluck your own rooster, wobble
while the jelly sets, soak up
some alcohol like
a piece of dried fruit.

To lose the fear of storms
put up trusses, give garlic
to sailors to hang in their ships,
try to slice yourself thinly between
droplets of water and the sunlight—
become a rainbow.

If you think then
that you understand a
whole spectrum of things,
that morning will find you
with a crowing and truly
festive heart

you may be right.