Your joys in slumped petunia leaves and a porch light that flickers to the beat of laughter's busy mandolin. I wanted to save you steps and crowds this time of night. Illness is uncomfortable. Your sighs of thanks in gentle wrinkles under eyes. The room is golden foliage now, tinged with winter's dusty green.
Birds beep on a CD, making summer of coming snow.
I hug you once. The moon peaks through gray tissue fog. I hug you twice. Delighted you agree to come for dinner Christmas Eve. You ask me for the recipe and hand me one for fundamental human love.