Christmas Card Etiquette

For years I sent you Christmas cards and never received a reply.
Once, my well wishes included an apology because we had argued.
(Neither the card nor the apology was acknowledged.)
This year, I lost someone and decided I would try one last time.
I thought that at least a goodbye should be full of good intentions and sweet.
This was the year, you decided to thank me for my card.
I cried, knowing I would never send you another one.

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Atop the Christmas Tree

Upon a throne of fir
A golden king
New Year beckons

Russian Fairy Tales by A.A.

Illustration by A. Alexeieff, Russian Fairy Tales, 1945

Etched drawings dabbed
yellow, blue, and red
Prose that speaks
jewel-toned and scarce
Treasure hoards faraway tales
For Pru, Kim, and Diana
On Christmas 1945

Notes: The photo above comes from an actual edition I bought as a gift.

Christmas Tree

Over a passing truck
Blinks a traffic light:
Baubled red, then green
Gold twines on twin arms
And sitting like a jewel
Upon the apex
A perfect pearl moon

Tinsel

Lights strung like Christmas tinsel
Ensnares faded memories
In frames of silver-gray