the little one pulls the string of a santa that spits out, “remember the magic of christmas lies in your heart” and she does it again, echoing “lies in your heart.” i pass by the hallway mirror on my way out and brush past the christmas tree, she echoes, “lies in your heart.” i head out for a smoke and a car speeds down my block as the front door creaks behind me. one last time, she echoes, “the magic of christmas lies…” and in the charge of the night fog from my lips: winter is coming, cruel and fast and always over staying its welcome.