COMING SOON
Today reminded me of Christmas—bright and utterly lonely.
Coleman Barks
I placed one toe
in the river of gloom.
On the streets of the cold city
a man with two raw gashes at his temple
fingered them gently.
Middle-aged sisters selling old plates and postcards
Three Floors of Bargains *** Step Right In !
stared glumly at a large clock.
December was just beginning.
One touched up her lipstick.
She could see herself between the 6 and 7.
Sunday-school children ate cookies
shaped like trees.
A waiter draped garlands of crumpled greenery
above the door of his restaurant,
adjusting the velvet bow.
A toothless woman wearing plastic bags
asked for the hour, which I gave her
too enthusiastically.
Here they came again.
Rolls of wrapping paper.
Red letters of ads.
I wasn’t hungry
for the countdown.
Cluttered days
so sharp they cut.
What about our people
on the giant list of loves?
What would we give them
this time around?
The days say we will
I plunged my foot
into the river of gloom,
it said it did not need me.
