December 23

It’s harder to wrap
up this year,

odd angles,
the paper sliding,

the tape run out–
In all seriousness,

there’s less
of a veneer

this time, things
are very much what

they seem to be,
not good. Of course,

this may be because
I didn’t decorate,

about to leave,
again, and need

to pack and mail
those bills already–

I think instead I’ll go
run through the forest

and try to smell
the evergreens,

under rain, it’s doubtful,
but there’s still

comfort and joy
there, I can see why

we like to bring
them inside.

OPTIONAL POETRY