A squirrel attacked the wire on the cherry tree

extinguished faux moonlight over the patio.

We did not notice.

No longer the center of our lives we ignored

dirty cushions, chipped bluestone. burned out bulbs.

Covid’s silver lining opened our back gate to friends.

Wine, cheese, glasses, utensils arrived in abundance

to our conversation-starved selves. Out of topics,

nothing more to say, guests brought news, gossip.

Friendships eschewed cold. We wrapped up in LLBean

fleece blankets, hats, mittens. Heat lamp blazed, fire

pit fired, candles glowed, bourbon poured, wine toasted.

Light powered by love.