Happy Christmas.

As there is a dusting of snow,
there is still belief in a man's heart
early Christmas morning.

It is 4:30.  I pour coffee and,
not knowing their religious preference,
wish the cats a happy holiday.

They appear agitated, and I fear they think
I'm waging a war on Christmas so I quickly
change my greeting, adding a scratch

behind the ears for good measure.
They seem pleased, especially when
I realize the food bowl is empty.

My son will be up soon,
full of sleepy enthusiasm, hope.
I turn on the soft red lights,

catch a hint of pine,
and settle into the quiet.
I want to be ready.

Four Foot Something

My wife drops him off early
once a month for student council.

As a third grader, it's his first year
being actively involved.

There is a bit of importance
about him now.  He walks taller.

Even so, as my wife describes it,
when he arrives at school

and enters the near empty hall
he looks very small.

I can see him there
4 foot something and proud,

as the eastern horizon
turns itself to a brilliant blue,

he walks headlong
into the day's responsibilities.

Stood Up

In the cloud filled afternoon,
it feels as if the day never arrived,
as if I'd scheduled a meeting
only to be left sitting
at a table by the window
checking my watch in the half light,
spinning the ice around
my half empty glass.

Suggestions

I have scraped
my windshield
several mornings
consecutively.

Often there is frost
on my lawn as well,
which our cats find
problematic.

Before the snow arrives
there are suggestions
we should dig out
sweaters and shovels.

Whose side are you on?

Businessmen
and their lackey reps
are crying

because they now have to
concern themselves with a workers
human right to good health.

They claim they'll be destroyed
just like when we demanded
safety standards and the 8 hour day.

Boss man John threatens
lower wages and lost jobs
like knifepoint.

He'll be damned
if the cost comes from
his profits or salary.

After all, he only earns
2 mil a year, and so what
if your kid can't see a doctor.

Whose problem is it?
Whose side
are you on?

Lesson

I teach History.

This week I taught the election -
popular votes and
the electoral college,

confusing enough,

but also the peculiar
personal economics
of the school levy.

So I explained
to the trumpet player,
a point guard, the actor and
his friend who paints,
a drummer and a quarterback
along with many others

that their grades are good,
school scores are high,
and their parents should be proud,
but voters didn't agree.

So, those programs you love,
that make you you,
that help you get through,
are unfortunately nonessential.

I am a teacher.
Some lessons
are more difficult
than others.

Election Day

It's 6 a.m..  In hotel rooms outside
Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus an army
of lawyers prepares for battle.