from And Then   

we found her presents
scattered like bright ashes
in the lost corners of drawers
behind old blankets
on weary shelves, under the bed
once high enough to hide us.

We put them under the cold star
and waited.

and when the clock struck
Christmas they said Shirts   Gloves   Sweaters
no more
as if she had known
only these things could speak on the threshold
of our dull houses now and then.

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