Christmas Morning--By Mary Jo Balistreri--United States

Christmas Morning

In the pale glint of dawn, a hawk darts

across the marsh. I wash dishes from last night’s supper.

Coffee gurgles, filling the glass carafe.

Alone at this hour, husband and children still asleep,

I breathe in peace—my hands deep in warm suds,

china and silver soaking amidst the bursts of bubbles,

their reflections tinged pink.

Outside a streak of mauve swirls and widens

over the pond, feathery as angel wings

on childhood holy cards. The sun paints

peach hibiscus, dusty blue asters, chrysanthemums,

yellow and spiky—all sprouting from the dark

of December like the star that once glowed

in Bethlehem.

Mary Jo Balistreri has two books of poetry published by Bellowing Ark Press and a chapbook by Tiger's Eye Press. She has more recently been enjoying learning and writing haiku type poems. She finds it helps her see differently and experience life in a new way. For more information, please visit her at maryjobalistreripoet.com