Santa Claus

I wrote this years ago and entered it in a con­test where I won the third prize (yey!). This is my mem­ory of my mom when I was grow­ing up. Happy Christ­mas everyone!

Santa Claus
(For my Mama)

I saw you putting can­dies
In my blue silk sock
Emp­ty­ing your bag
Of coins and choco kisses
Melted, no doubt,
Because you waited
For me to fall asleep
Before you do your sleight-of-hand—
My fantasy.

I saw your bag
Full of ends and odds:
A coin purse, receipts, lip­stick, plas­tic,
Busi­ness cards with names I do not know
And

I saw you look in my direc­tion
Just as I closed my eyes pre­tend­ing sleep.
I don’t know if you know
That I know
All this.
Your bag is empty
As you tip­toed out the door
And I had to slap my face awake
For I swear I could hear
Someone’s voice saying,

Con­suma­tum Est

Somewhere.