Best Poems Written by Michael Rath

Post Christmas Lament

No one ever wrote a carol about the moments after...
Faced with a mountain of wrapping
Once so carefully placed on a package
With tape, ribbons, and bows
Now all shreds on the floor 
Like dead soldiers strewn across a battlefield

Fat and lethargic from Christmas Eve dinner
Resentments start rolling in like a wayward storm
"They never called to say thank you."
The thoughts fester like flies in the kitchen 
Because no one felt like doing the dishes 
Last night

Last night?

Too much whiskey
A glass of Pinot Noir
And more whiskey
And wash pieces of pie down with a nice German Riesling
3 glasses
More whiskey
More pie

Reflecting on the moments that brought joy
Children enjoying their toys
"He's young though...one day he'll want more than I can furnish
There will probably be some level of disappointment...Guaranteed"

The bracelet didn't fit the wife
So she will return it
For something completely different
Something I didn't pick
After time and research...thinking,
"This is the gift that will make her smile again."

But all in all
As I struggle to pull myself out 
Of this self-made pile of excrement
I realize that I love
I am loved
And all the spirit is killed by the excess of the Holiday
Not the day itself
I find the meaning
Perhaps different from yours 
And I smile...saying,
"Merry Christmas."
And I mean it
I really do.

Copyright © Michael Rath | Year Posted 2007