Afterwards Poem by Kendra St John

The sun warms the air
So slightly
Not so much rain though
Just windy
Leaves brush across the porch
Clumsy skaters
Clutching each other
Trying to avoid the others on the floor
No one in sight
All have left
Tables and chairs all stacked away
Not a hint remains
of joyous spray
of colored paper ripped away.
Chatter and squeals of delight
Fade as families take flight,
On their way
To their last visit of the night.
I turn aside from my lone stroll to see the red flicker on the light pole
A solitary strand
Of ribbon
Tossed gently with each wisp
Of the wind.
Hung days ago
A Christmas bow
The hugs, the smiles, the elation in their eyes.
Settling to my chair to reflect
The day was truly grand.
My…my…