Roger D. Jones
New Braunfels, Texas, USA

Winter Lull

Looking out an office window at the dead earth, leafless trees, waiting for Novocain to take effect. All day an intermittent cold rain mixed with sleet has fallen. Early darkness already descending. Receptionists chat and laugh quietly in an adjacent hallway. Christmas carols on the radio. Three weeks away, I haven't bought a single gift yet.

leaving the dentist's
my father's whiskers
my father's jaw