an air conditioner and sunglasses on Christmas
the winter sun peeling my cheek, I’m squinting at
an ad for a lawyer looming above a freeway accident
the responding officer in a Santa hat
we arrive with headaches to dinner
at the last inn across town
that will still let us in
to take a knee and smoke in the backyard
did anyone hear the angels?
I thought their one job was to hark
when and if someday
family is friendship is fairness
but ALL I WANTED
is a land memory so sweet
it cannot be stolen from
if someone loses their keys to American dreaming
December 31, 2024
arden briar smith