Christmas comes as surely as July heat
Things slow to nothing when the frenzy ends
You’re waiting for me in the arrivals lounge
Feels strange to see airports full again
In the crowds I see plenty of first place bad Christmas sweaters
Three glass jars in the carryon bag I carried through two layovers
House careful quotients of nutmeg, and cloves
star anise and snapped cinnamon,
To stir into a simmering California red
With December oranges from the backyard
Maybe it’ll be just cold enough tonight
For mulled wine by L.A. moonlight
The headlights and taillights are cheerful as we drive
LAX to the San Gabriel foothills
Blue against the falling night
Home doesn’t mean what it used to these days
I’m grateful to say: I’m coming home for Christmas
To my love
It’s pizza in our friends home
And a free for all on Christmas morn
the ornaments we bought last year are on the tree swirling “Fuck 2020”