Once Upon a Night

The leftover Halloween candy is all but gone

thanksgiving leaves our bellies bursting at the seams

once the plates are cleared we erect the tree

we listen to the classics and the new

first are the lights

around the tree, they go

we unbox the ornaments

glass balls of gold, reds, and browns

each hand-picked on where to go

the stockings rest up above the fireplace

we laugh, we dance, we remember the times before

magic is in the air

it is our favorite time of year

the air is chilled

the nights are long

we huddle around the fire

I wish I could freeze this moment