Star of Wonder
From the front yard of my parents’ house,
I point to Venus shining bright and huge
over the field across the road.
My family has gathered again after too long an absence.
We marvel at how close the star seems
——an astronomical wonder someone says;
a rare alignment never again seen in our lifetime.
After a few moments, the silent awe is broken.
My sister, Karen, announces that the star
is setting on someone’s security tower,
and how can we be so blind as to not notice
its five-point shape with tiny lights twinkling——
a mere Christmas decoration for the neighbor’s yard.
Our gaze shifts from the star in question, to my sister.
And with a sigh, my niece walks over to take
the glass of wine from her mother’s hand.
It is Christmas, and as usual, we are celebrating.