the year comes to a close
few more days of cheer
fill our stockings
red green and gold
color everywhere
display of lights
the hunt for presents
visible at the mall
no price too high
on the holy day
eat drink and chat
little too much
year after year
the same rituals
followed to the letter
anchored in
the collective mind
the illusion of Santa
sleigh reindeers the works
the story that never
gets old
no talk of when
or if ever will
Santa retire
touch of sadness
what a madness
gullible no brain
let me explain
got a surprise email
written with all the detail
‘we will feature your book’
swallowed with a hook
her pen name Sherry
sounded bit too merry
writing style really kind
to influence weak mind
sweetness builds connection
on a closer inspection
concealed until the very last
send me your money fast
bank account of a dark name
to get the scammer now my game
the face behind the bank details
i pray their scheme soon fails
the story doesn’t end
Sherry is now my friend
the real Sherry I found
the scammer is still around
pretender behind a real face
on fraud report i made a case
warning to all you guys
beware of sweet AI lies
day like another
knock on the door
come in she uttered
there he entered
being the director
of a student agency
people came daily
asking her for help
his task was different
he brought her the mail
and then stayed longer
than was expected
without her awareness
his persistence and loyalty
soft demeanor green eyes
that mail changed their lives
his daily visits on his way home
became part of the routine
they would meet there
until he asked her out
walk along the coast
through a cemetery
marked the beginning
of a lifelong bond
ten years into it
they tied the knot
in their living room
committed for real
skip 22 years
their journey has not
been an easy ride
though well worth it
every day can bring
challenges and drawbacks
yet they have one another
to overcome them together
to be continued…
gallop through a prairie
horse white mane
soft morning light
the sun rose up again
without a saddle
free as a bird
bolting wildly
away from the herd
where is he running
what awaits there
devoid of direction
he may not care
joyous movement
through time and space
on his own terms
far from the race
never mind the trophies
now all given up
new sense of freedom
forget Melbourne cup
