TRANSITIONS

          LEAVES

the field is cleared of stuffed toys

green plastic monsters

and air conditioners

I can breathe

there is nothing to say

perhaps the time has come to listen

rain falling finally

with El Nino's first volley

suddenly El Norte sneezes

and the leaves are down

freezing nights will follow

I wish Lady Hummingbird could snug

under the covers

obviously unrealistic

Tabitha would eat her

who

in complete honesty

could deny me my foolishness?

might as well enjoy rain glistened rocks

the shuffle of chips through guacamole

at Christmas dinner

Bill slicing ham at a snail’s pace

Charlie, her ebullience

Susan's beautiful table, her tree

time to hear beyond words

BOXES

Appreciation, like noblesse oblige, has a special place in British custom. “Boxing Day” is when servants and tradesmen get a “Christmas Box” the day after, with gifts from masters, employers or customers. . . . .

Boxing Day, BBC News: “UK FLOODS: HOMES EVACUATED AMID HEAVY RAIN --

“Hundreds of flood alerts and warnings have been issued -- more than 30 of them severe, meaning danger to life.

“Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole said the record rainfall and repeated flooding in December were a sign of changing climate and highlighted the need for greater action by the government.

“Kelly Hughes, a hairdresser who lives in Whalley, said the situation was 'a million times worse' than a fortnight ago when floods also hit . . . 'It's just horrific, really bad . . . There are no more sandbags anywhere. People are panicking. That's my business and my home. It's a double whammy.”

CLIMATE WITHOUT BORDERS

This is not a story, a five-part play, or a poem. Simply, it's what's happening – fast.

A message on Next Door today (26 December):

Gun shot at Serra park 3h ago

Jessica Smith from Sunnyvale Birdland

hi neighbors,
Early morning of dec 25, the police knocked at our door asking if we had heard anything around 6am. Apparently a neighbor went to the park for his usual morning exercise and when he went back to his car his car window had been shot with a gun. We moved around the area 6 months ago and a few incidents have happened in this park since then. I'm sure there have been some before. We drive around the area often and always see random cars or people doing nothing in that parking lot. Probably up to nothing good. There are no visiting or parking restrictions in that park. Has anyone tried contacting the city of Sunnyvale about this? Could someone provide some guidance about how to request this to the city? I would be willing to start doing something about this. I have 2 little kids and we go to this park everyday. Now it just feels unsafe. Thanks!

OUTRIGHT IMPOLITIC

Burning down the Greek temple of Artemis for publicity was just too much. Officials in 356 BC put Herostratus on the no-say list, his name verboten. Our Greek Democratic principals won't allow such censure. It would cancel profits to be had from the controversy. But maybe Hillary could slip in the shiv, starting a new trend. How many Trumpeteers would get the metronym? Name calling would be lifted to new heights, the mob would struggle to understand what hit them.

Or maybe it would be too arcane for some of the people some of the time. At least long enough for them to elect a demagogue. Herostratus? History has a way of repeating itself.

with some sadness

I note

it's time to switch off

the Christmas tree

* * *

in the gloaming

where once I took to thought

bridled words find their rest

there is naught but appreciation

and the greatness of all that is seen

or not

now at home