Heatwave

reindeer

chocolate santas
melting in the heatwave
flattened
between clean sheets
I work off my sleep debt

Reading the Recipe

christmas bush

just when you
think you have a handle
on the mixing bowl
of life . . .
the recipe changes

© Julie Thorndyke

coconut ice

snowy scenes
on Christmas cards
this summer day
I pour clouds of powdery
sugar for coconut ice

© Julie Thorndyke

snoopy

new fairy lights
blazing across the mantle
in the doorway
my aged dog
stands in silent protest

santa

scented candles
every summer evening
the small ghost
of my little terrier
walking with us at dusk

this old sadness
at the dying Christmas bush
once again
I must write my
way through transition

cicadas
ringing out the year
one last
loving cup
before sunset