LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR

THREE KWANZAA CANDLES
PURPOSE, FAITH AND UNITY
INNER SPIRIT-FRUITS
~~

mugs of cocoa
steam rising
marshmallows sink
---Dorothy McLaughlin, NJ
~~

plump and promising
yet the Christmas tangelo
all pulp and big seeds
---Dion O'Donnol, CA

family iced out
her first Christmas alone
at age eight-eight
~~

a constant droning
the day after Christmas
neighbor's ATV
~~

cardinal watches
five-foot snowman's
red hat and scarf
---Sue Watson, AR
~~

snow-covered aspen
ravens rest on every limb
black leaves of winter
---LaVern McCarthy, OK