the milk is
       left untouched,
the cookies
      left uneaten,
                               "santa didn't come
                                     this time."
gifts
      left unopened,
words
      left unspoken,
                                "when will he
                                     be back?"
secrets
      left unspilled,
and sobs
      too quiet to hear.
                                 "maybe
                                       next
                                           year."