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Photograph by Donna Marie
Bergeniao 11/11/2003
A Thought for Today
Wear your Sunday face all day, every day.
THREE DECEMBER POEMS
CHRISTMAS PAST
I loved your face
on Christmas Eve,
though it was framed
by such a noisy crowd.
Seeing your eyes dance
and dance in my direction
was how I came to know you.
Seeing you beyond the tree
and only later on
beyond my reach
was how I came to love you.
And if you loved my face
as much as you love Christmas.
I’d be safe from year to year.
The same anticipation
that you hold for holidays
would smother me,
and glad I’d be to die so loved.
-from "The Carols of Christmas," 1971
SNOWFLAKES IN THE WINE
It rained today, all day
everything was the sound of rain.
Children laughing in the streets
police whistles
cars splashing mud at one another
even the music on the radio
sounded like the rain.
Tonight the storm is nearly over.
I walked down by the railway station
to watch the trains come in
and not once was I asked the time
nor did a stranger stop and want a light.
Sometimes on rainy nights
I forgot I'm in a foreign country.
It's about twelve-thirty now.
Most everyone has gone to bed.
Something is pushing me,
making me think.
I miss you.
-from "Winter," 1972
OFFERING
Can I be of any help
with your suitcase
or your trunk?
can I stack the wood
against the door?
If your head’s too heavy
let it fall against my arm.
Have you packages of love
that need untying
and then tying up?
Let me first unfold your smile
and fold it to my own.
A beginning.
Then if you have further wants
let me know if I can help.
-from "The Carols of Christmas," 1971.
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