The Day Before The Day Before

We're in a holding pattern as the arc of the

grandest of holidays reaches towards the pinnacle of Christmas morning.

Today is not the exciting Eve.

It's the day before the day before.

Like the squawk of a guitar on stage before the show begins

The crowd stirs with anticipation.

But not yet. The lights have not dimmed. The gray sky and brown landscape need this excitement.

The traffic buzzing by on the street more intense than usual.

The smell of yeast in the kitchen--for what? It's not tomorrow yet.

The warmth of this house, not my office building, here in the midst of the workweek,

work long forgotten and freeing our conversation to roam to any topic we want.

Touching my black robe after the normal workday should have begun.

Drinking an extra cup of black tea.

Feeling a little nervous about not working. But shifting into the holiday frame of mind.

The Day Before the Day Before.