Roosters don’t only strut and crow
sometimes they sound like brakes scraping.

Does the cock-a-doodle-doo 
of a gaily lit house at Christmas

attest to the happiest of families
bright with thriving children

warm with board games   carols
fearless into future with 4-wheel drive?

Or are there really cobwebs cowering in dim corners
windows wavering in storm’s furious dance

brakes scraping in case
of wrinkles in the road ahead?