Shut-in

pulling deeper
into myself
deep winter

the mothball scent
of nana’s quilt

snowbound
baking cookies
just for the heat

Christmas eve
carolers bypass
the old man’s door

not even junk mail
to start the fire

muting the darkness
of the spare room
her night light

• • •

Italic links are by Terri L. French
Non-italic links are by Bryan Rickert