Joy at the door

It’s just a Christmas tree, 

just some goofy colorful ornaments

stockings on hooks

Santas on stands

These tall doors don’t accommodate wreaths

Just a couple sparkly outdoor ornaments

Just a little printed message

carved out and painted silver

Just a sparkly J and an O and a Y

to greet the oh-so-occasional visitors

But it is a bit of cheer

kept in bins, out in the garage

and every year, we decide

whether to decorate or hunker down

This year passed, filled with curses and lies

This year past, of all the years

Sprouted hope like mung beans in the fridge

Just in time to turn the tide

and I decorate

to celebrate

with a J and an O and a Y

at the front door.