Thursday, December 8, 2011

christmas laughter - by nikki giovanni

My family is very small
Eleven of us
three are over 80
Three are over 60
Three are over 50
Two of us are sons


Come Labor Day the quilts
are taken from the clean white sheets
in which they summered


We seldom have reason
and need no excuse
to polish the good silver
wash the tall stemmed glasses
and invite one another
into our homes


We win at Bid Whist
and lose at Canasta
and eat the lightest miniautre Parker House rolls
and the world's best
five cheese macaroni and cheese
I grill the meat
Mommy boils the beans


Come first snow the apple cider
with nutmeg...cloves...cinnamon...
and just a hint of ginger
brews every game day and night


We have no problem

luring

Santa Claus

down

our chimney


He can't resist



The laughter

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