Cheerful Red House
A snow-splattered,
cheerful red house.
Pine, sparkling white.
A snowman gladly,
proud and robust,
wears red-trimmed black hat,
a long green plaid scarf.
Buttons almost popping
off his pronounced belly.
His arms branch out
as if they are long fingers,
and there rests
a Christmas red cardinal.
Wind-pinched, freckle-faced kid
sweeps in, holding a sled -
done for the day. He’s ready
to make cookies,
just as mom promised.
The inside is warm.
The kid takes off his boots,
gloves, jacket, but not
his smile. Mom kisses
his cold-wet cheek.
He is glad for the warmth.
His pig-tailed sister is waiting
at the table, rolling the dough -
the little bit mama gave her.
They giggle - they will save
a couple cookies for dad,
and a tall glass of milk.
They cut shapes -
trees, sleds, angels
and use leftover dough
for kolaches filled with jelly.
Mom lets the kids
eat them warm from the oven,
but the cookies
must cool and wait
to be buttercream frosted.
Dad will get his cookies
and milk. Bright eyes
watch him. The cardinal
is now perched
on the snowman’s hat.
The snowman
hasn’t moved.
Days go by. The snowman
loses his pouch, buttons
popping off, his carrot nose
on the ground, branches askew.
The bird flew away
a long time ago
and the kids are back
in school.
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