It is a delicate procedure. One so precarious that Frankie runs from the kitchen, saying, “I can’t bear to watch in case this goes south.”

Mira emerges from the kitchen. The gingerbread house Frankie worked on rests on a glass cake stand.

new centerpiece
iTunes’ carols playing as
a proud pastry chef
admires his masterpiece
in our Christmas trees’ new lights

first published in Image Curve, December 15, 2017

photograph by Aaron Burden