Grumples, Grumples

Winter holidays often
have adverse effects.
Suicides become popular
methods of escape from
forced parties, required
to make nice with people
we don’t like, awkward
gift exchanges that just
take up the valued hidden
spaces we all need, food
that fattens us even more—
speeds us towards self-loathing.

But
there is
ANOTHER WAY

Champagne by fireplace
hungry for more fuel to burn,
cats batting loose ornaments
hanging low on the Goodwill tree,
embracing who we actually are,
wrapped in pajamas and each other.

1/5/11