Christmas Morning
Anticipation of Christmas began
with the first snowstorm
our city street
transformed into a country road
my friends and I
eager for the crunch under our feet
the first sign of packing snow
The discovery of long stemmed icicles
to pluck from low branches and window sills
the shock of snow
down a neck
or a boot
Standing in triumph
in the impression of our angels’ wings
jumping out
in search of more untouched snow
In afternoon sun
climbing to the edge of our park hills
assembling ourselves from
the tallest to the smallest
before the swoosh
of down
Our snow ball fights
always girls against the boys
we built snow forts in our backyards for protection
huddled together, out of sight
until our moms called us in
One Christmas,
while my parents slept,
I ventured downstairs,
amid the wrapped presents,
a sapphire star-studded sleigh
as if brought by the snowdrifts of night