The Holiday Mask

Ushered in by bowls of candy treats
and costume masks
the holiday season launches
with the donning of a different mask

Leaf by leaf the trees turn
crimson, gold, and angry
falling like confetti
woven into a soggy carpet of flames

The air turns crisp and bitter
children delight
seeing their own breath
others despair
the cost of heat or lack of a roof to call theirs

A snow falls
blanketing the earth in pure white
shivers, and sleepless nights
elation and misery in the air
as tangible as the delicate burning snowflakes

Thankfulness is celebrated
with family, friends, alone
for the job that keeps them apart or permits the time away
for friendship, health, acceptance, a warm place to go

From television and radio
the jingles and  carols echo
the perfect, gleeful season that everyone must share

The season ends with the New Year
memories made, bills paid
rested and exhausted
the mask comes off until next year

 

Jillian Weemaes
Washington DC
Bon House
2018