Last night
we stepped outside
to a sky rinsed clean of clouds.

Beneath fresh stars
a shadow worked plush toes
across fence palings,

climbed into 
the outstretched arms 
of the apple tree.

We listened to each
whiskered kiss
on stem and flower flesh,

watched the starlit tip 
of a curled tail
rise to the top of the tree

until we were sure
Christmas had come early.