First published in RADIX

A.D.

We just took down Christmas
all its shiny baubles and twinkling lights
its green and red
and heavenly blue
and white.

We put it away in boxes and
sealed it tight
like a tomb.

A month ago
we put it out and
light came into the world
as if Tinker bell and all her friends were
living it up on our lawns and
the magic was catching and
we knew we could fly!

It had all looked so warm and so welcoming
like a new-made fire in a freshly swept hearth

but now it’s gone:

dust rings where the wise men had wandered
mangerless bits of straw
whispering
about
our Unholy Family.

It’s January.

Again
we’re clearing and cleaning,
putting things back how they had been
before Christmas,
before we made room for Christmas

and yet,
it’s not
Before Christmas it’s
After Christmas

and nothing’s the same.

First Published in RADIX