New/Year

We shed the skin of one year

lay bare the fragile bones

of fresh dreams

our serpentine souls slither forward

we know the way by heart

by heart we sing

by heart we dance

by heart we hope & pray

for good things

only good things

though ugly things will come

the spiral blesses everything

breath & blood & memory

and everything is holy

tears and laughter

pain and joy

life and death

we know

we know

we know

every thing

every thing

every thing

is love

The Hens on Christmas Morning

The hens greet me at the fence

this Christmas morning

hungry for feed, for scratch

for good cheer, fresh water.

The air is crisp and cool, the sky brilliant

blue against the bare tree branches

this quiet, sunny morning.

As others unwrap presents in a flurry

I gather the gift of eggs from the coop

and thank the black and brown creatures for their generosity.

They cluck and fuss as I nod goodbye

cradling their fragile, oval gems

in my grateful hands.

A Christmas Poem

Christmas Morning

by Mary Saracino

Silver ribbons

red bows

a flash of eager eyes

the scent of pine

a rush of glee

cinnamon dreams

and long memories

of snow and cold

and roasted chestnuts

in the palms of hungry hands.