While visiting in the nursing home today, I saw a woman sitting in the hallway in a wheel chair. This caused me to think of the persons I have visited in nursing homes at this time of year.

before she could walk
she sat on Santa’s lap
and cried
because she was scared
by the bright red uniform
and long white beard

in later years she put stars in the catalog
to mark the toys she wanted for Christmas
and her mother helped her
write a letter to Santa

after marriage, she took her children
to cry on Santa’s lap
and she helped them bake cookies
to leave for Santa
on Christmas Eve
now she spends her December days
in a wheelchair
in the halls of a nursing home
staring at the Christmas wreaths on the door
hour after hour

she receives only a few Christmas cards
which a nurse reads to her
over and over again
visiting caroling groups sing in her room
as she stares blankly into their eyes
and sometimes smiles
but she’s not sure why.

she gets some of the Christmas dinner
in her mouth
the rest fall to the floor
like wrapping paper used to land
all around a Christmas tree