Alcalá 1987

A WINTER DAY

Never really thought I'd wake up on a train

With winter out my window With snow across the plains. I think of little children Christmas storiesand sleds Hot chocolate by the fireplace Before snuggling into bed.

Together we cultivated a seed — aseed of love. Youimplanted it within me It grew as time went on It was beginning to blossom as we parted It flowered as we were so far apart Continuing to grow andyearn for your love Growing, reaching for you, but never reaching you. Then we met again, my feelings were still strong But you said — No And the flower stoppedgrowing. It still stands dormantwithin me —dormant But still alive In hopes that some dayagain it will blossom And not wither away. MPF

Christmas timeis Jesus In a manger where he lay And reminds us ofthe ones we love Both near and far away. It's a time for hanging stockings Christmas lightsand trees For Kris Kringles and for candy canes For colors redand green.

I wish everyone could see Outside this window here At a place given toall of us By a God who's always near.

Julie Matteoni

Artwork by Michele Johnson