Banner Design © TJ Edson

 

Christmas Dinner

With good cheer, the neighbors appear
With offerings of Chinese take-out
And all through the house are wafted
Aromas carried from the East,
So it is we greet seasonings—
Egg rolls are our glowing Yule logs
Smoldering in mustard embers.
Moo shu pork, ginger and garlic
Seductive, in plum sauce pancake
Complementing the common-sense
Pungent heat of Mongolian beef,
And not least, that happy staple,
Chicken almond ding. A feast made
Merry with wine and good cheer,
Knowing there is nothing to fear,
It is clear, each fortune cookie
Says the same thing—“You are the gift.”
So we are, given and received.

 

Bruce Morton splits his time between Montana and Arizona. His poems have appeared or are forthcoming in various magazines and anthologies including, most recently, Muddy River Poetry Review, Main Street Rag, Nixes Mate Review, Grey Sparrow Journal, Anti-Heroin Chic, Sin Fronteras/Writers Without Borders, Pinyon Review, and Blue Unicorn. He was formerly Dean of Libraries at Montana State University.