Winter Solstice

Christmas

with an ex-lover

is spent whenever

there’s time to spare,

so today I invited you over,

with the promise of friendship

and fire,

hoping for kindling wood,

but the flames are merely embers,

like the Sun in its tepid glow,

forsaking us much too soon

on this shortest day of the year.

So I’ll make you Darjeeling ,

my darling ,

suddenly clasp your hand

into mine –

for gauging a glove size, I’ll say,

feigning I’ve shopping to do,

the warmth of tea and touch

creating such a beautiful lie.

Andreas Gripp

Andreas Gripp