our dull christmas lights flickered on and 
my ears were ringing with yr 
crooked smile so i 
sat. 

the tree loomed above and in its 
furred tangle of bending needles hung
my ornament; chipped and harried. 

closing my eyes real slow like,
shoulder tilted just so, 
head hung back against the stiff hinge
of my neck, i dreamt i think, 
for maybe just a second. 

flurried snow flicked the windows 
and when i woke yr hands were clasped,
eyes shut in deep prayer. yr mouth moved 
quick and i could hear the fretting click 
of tongue on teeth. 

i closed my eyes again and
i think, for maybe just a second, 
i dreamt.