Lean Christmas and other lovely things . . .

This year has been tough--the toughest I can remember as an adult, and still, there is so much to be thankful for. This poem really touched my heart, and I hope you enjoy it. Here's to hoping you and your family find love in the empty spaces, and find a way to pass this love on to others. . .

Merry Christmas,
Kit

Christmas 1963
by Joseph Enzweiler

Because we wanted much that yearand had little. Because the winter phonefor days stayed silent that would callour father back to work, and hekept silent too with our mother,fearfully proud before us.

Because I was young that morningin gray light untouched on the rugand our gifts were so few, propped along the furniture, for a secondmy heart fell, then saw how largethey made the spaces between themto take the place of less.

Because the curtained sun rose brightly on our discarded paper and the thingsthemselves, these forty years,have grown too small to see, the emptinessmeasured out remains the gift,fills the whole room now, that whole yearout across the snowy lawn.

Because a drop of shame burned quietly in the province of love. Because we had little that yearand were given much.

"Christmas 1963" by Joseph Enzweiler, from The Man Who Ordered Perch. © Iris Press, 2004 (buy now)