2007/flame

The candle flame
reflects in the glass,
as though poised on the branch
of the Christmas tree sitting outside,
the way some countries decorate
their trees with candles.
My daughter’s German friend did this,
and put out her clogs for St. Nick
to fill.
It makes us nervous, of course,
the idea of candles in trees,
just as it makes me uneasy
to think of eating
candy from shoes.

1/19/07