Your Jennie
after almost
25 years together
you still
looked at her
and saw her …
men at 56
don’t always see
but we saw
the way
you looked at her
that Christmas Eve
how you got down
on one knee
with that ring
you bought her
how you held her close
and kissed her
and told her
how much
you loved her
how happy
you were
that night
‘cause she was
your wedded wife
but the Christmas lights
aren’t blinking
we can’t see ‘em
from the road
put up now
in a box
behind the star
and the tree
that stood
is bare
and brown
no longer round
and real
where’d Santa go
we’re not done
opening presents
yet
come back
and eat
your cookies
and drink
your milk
it’s not time
for bed
we still gotta
put the toys
together
and you’re
good at that
don’t rub your eyes
we still got time
to wrap the presents
special
so don’t fall asleep
just yet
she needs you
to stay awake
a minute more
and hold her
in your arms
and tell her
it’ll be all right
that you’re still here
beside her
holding her hand
telling her how much
you love her …
tell her that
tell her that
tonight
don’t go to bed
without telling her that
okay
all right
TL