Ritual

The holidays used to be about

Ritual.

/

Thanksgiving was 

A grandiose table and

Golden decorations and

Pumpkin pie candles;

Christmas was

The thick smell of a warming fireplace and

A friendly Christmas tree and

Bing Crosby singing over the stereo.

But holidays are different this year.

/

Mom shaved her head last night.

The chemo is a sacrifice,

Pain and loss in return for

What we hope

Will be healing.

She won’t be cooking;

She can’t wrap gifts like she used to.

Some days 

All she can do is

Sit on the couch

Let alone decorate the table.

/

But all of this

Hasn’t crushed my

Celebration spirit.

Instead I’ve grown

More thankful than before

That Gratitude

And Love

And Thanksgiving

And Christmas

Are in our hearts,

In the presence of others,

And not simple

Ritual.