Tinsel
and lights turn this grey-lidded month
Starry-eyed,
sparkly-cheeked, made up.
Santa’s
bounty fuels children’s thoughts
As
they make lists.
This is the time
that sorts
The
planners, well-prepared and organised
From
panickers, last-minute-ers, who sigh
As
they queue up to post late cards, in bursts,
Remembering
only those who sent one first.
For
some, a missing card, or gift-wrapped box
Brings
to mind an absent love, one lost.
Gift-garlanded,
the costly feast approaches.
Relatives
draw near in cars and coaches.
The
wise know joy and pain will surely strike
Not
on demand, at church, but on the quiet
Maybe
in the kitchen, uninvited:
Where
sheer force of family-reunited
Stuns
the in-laws, tensions marriage ties
Til
something snaps.
Good
cheer loosens lies,
Springs
secrets, opens wounds.
No
wonder all
Find
reason to escape: to text, to call,
To
walk the dog, to smoke.
To find release,
We look
up to the stars and search for peace.
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