Once again thinking back
Christmastime Martins Ferry
Shopping list inside my gray wool mitten
Trudging through virgin white knee-deep snow
The walk uptown
Past Teare’s Drug, the rowdy Antler Bar
Finally down South Fourth Street
Woolworths, the Fenray Theatre
Emptying my Christmas Club account
All seven dollars and nine cents
At the old Citizen’s Bank
Just north of Isaly’s, best ice cream in town
In 1958, seven bucks bought a lot
Presents for Mom, Dad, my sister, both grandmas
Magically, the right gifts always appeared
With at least a dollar to spare
Arms full, the walk home
Along South Fifth Street
But first a stop in the library
Then a browse of candy at Tidbit’s
The snow started again
A week till Christmas
I hoped, prayed it would last
Ensuring Santa’s on time arrival
Poetic Alchemist 