December 2024
Barbara Eknoian
barbaraekn687@gmail.com
Bio Note: I am a poet and a novelist, Originally, I wanted to write stories, and I joined Donna Hilbert's poetry workshop in l989 and became a fan of poetry. My New & Selected Poems, More Jerkumstances, was recently published by Moon Tide Press. I live with my daughter, grandson, 2 dogs, 2 cats, (one mild and the other on the crazy side.)


Ice Skating at Hudson County Park

I see the lake outlined 
with Christmas lights.
from the top of the hill.
The white ice looks like
a round birthday cake, 
the piles of snow
scalloped
along the edges, 
whipped frosting.
We hurry to put on
our silver blades
in the rental shack.
An iron stove stands
in the center 
keeping us toasty 
until we skate outside
in low thirty-degrees.
My feet are numb;
I think it’s frostbite.
We head back up 
the hill for home 
while tears freeze
on my cheeks.
I can’t feel my toes.
Then suddenly Danny
appears out of darkness
and tags alongside us. 
My face flushes.
I feel warm again.
Danny is walking us home
and, just maybe, 
he likes me.
Originally published in Your Daily Poem


A Normal Holiday Night

We must get potato chips, dip, soda,
and cookies to make it festive
for my grandsons to stay up 
tomorrow night to watch the giant ball
drop for New Year’s Eve.

Tonight after making them supper,
my son is playing ping pong
on my kitchen island with the boys.
It’s a normal casual night for them.
Later, I join them to watch a movie on TV, 
which is unusual for me.
Before I head for bed, 
my son, Darren, asks for an allergy pill.

I’m awakened early by my daughter.
She advises, You need to take this Xanax;
something bad happened.
I ask, Is it Aunt Linda?
No, she says. It’s Darren.
Just three words and I’m in instant terror.
I know I’ve just lost my son.
Originally published in ONE ART


©2024 Barbara Eknoian
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