Stars in the carpet

After the children have come With their children, home over Christmas, And gone again back to their strange Far-off corners of continent: crossing The lonely carpet with only the cat For my company, suddenly I have found Us both following a trail of fire In the dark. There are stars In my carpet left over from Christmas, From gifts that broke out of Silver-shot seals, dropped glitter-strewn Ribbons, shed tinsel and foil. Overhead, There are stars in the winter night Crossing the continent, breaking the torn White tissues of clouds to shine out Where far-off the children are watching With their children what cat and I watch: Sparks of brilliance left over from Christmas To carpet our loneliest going with light.