A Skeleton for Christmas
Mae mailed Christmas cards today,
fewer again this year
because death has made
her address book a skeleton.
She has a son in Russia
but no other relatives alive
and every year more friends die.
Her memories are movies
she always likes to watch.
Cary Grant may not be in them
but the movies make her thankful
for the people she has known
even those who were a problem.
Perhaps she gave them reason
acting out in her distress.
Donal Mahone
