YOUR LAUGHTER LOST AMONG BALLOONS
( for Junie )

Your hand pins the Santa
to the living room door

his belly blossoming into decoration
your eyes alive with Christmas lights

blinking on & off

your laughter lost
among balloons

floating in an other world
& yet another Christmas

the same scene re-enacts itself
(without your presence)

presents lolling mutely
around the festive tree

each detail crystal clear
the dance of your hands...the music of your hair

turning ever turning

sharp as holly
drops of blood mimicking its berries

I **** my thumb to staunch the flow

memories red & real
as blood

Death sitting in your empty chair.