oatmeal

In December,

8 days before Christmas,

as rain falls steadily outside,

a freshly toweled dog

jumps for a treat

then trots away in glee to devour it.

The brewer prepares just one

cup of coffee

for a red mug already warmed

with hot milk.

Finally there is

the homey smell

of apples

of butter and pecans

of sugar and cinnamon

from a steaming bowl

of old-fashioned

oatmeal.