December 19: Small Miracle

Saturday. The calendars says
Hanukkah ends. Goyim
timekeeping. But that’s okay,
I’m half-goy myself
and my wife is full-blooded.
We light the last candles late
again, too busy or forgetful
on Thursday and Friday.
Every few years we have enough
left over to skip buying a box
entirely. Small miracle.

December 20: Agley

The best laid plans
take a back seat again
to urgencies of the season.

Three short errands
become an afternoon -
collecting the long-neglected

Goodwill donation,
the last few stocking stuffers
(decisions as weighty

as the boxes under the tree),
the grocery list that swells
from three to twelve.

Folders of ungraded papers
get demoted to a chair
from the top of the kitchen table.

December 21: Teaching Tolerance

A three-day week at the high school
between Hanukkah and Christmas
is a series of hours that teaches us
the limits of our seasonal imperatives.

December 22: Haiku

Forgive them, for they
have not done their homework, as
I haven’t either.

December 23:Ho Ho Whatever

I have my principles. I shall not
show The Grinch all day to my classes.
If they bothered to come to school
I shall reward them with meaningful activities.
Until today. Maybe a sign of kindness,
or of increasing age and indifference.
Go ahead, forget the research paper.
Play your Internet puzzles and games.

December 24: Another Kind of Ritual

Out of my son’s homecoming at almost every holiday
I have made a new ritual: improvise a sumptuous supper,
share a meaningful movie, drink and smoke too much
but deny it, until the next day which I spend
entirely in bed, missing the party downstairs
with ever-growing and ever more beloved relatives.
My son cooks gumbo, does dishes, entertains.
I make three ghostly appearances, pale or green,
attempting to be well, failing. My body knows better,
sends me back to bed. I resolve to be as smart
as it someday.

December 25: Risen

Rising early, purged
and ashamed, I finish
the final wrappings. Prepare
for twelve hangover jokes
and ribbings, one hug.
That done, pray for clarity,
forbearance, and love.

Categories: The Grind
No Comments »