is maybe the sweetest
of holiday dates
because we got here
in one piece
(more or less)
and made it past
most of the stress
somehow the cards
got selected
addressed
signed
and sent
to those who like hearing
how the year was spent
or receiving
a generic acknowledgment
that they’re still part
of your firmament
and the gifts
got thought of
shopped for
wrapped
delivered
and opened
(to smiles and whoops
and ooohs and ahhs)
and the travel
was strategized
packed for
delayed
coped with
and seen to its conclusion
and the house
got cleaned
decorated
disheveled
and put back together
and the music
got dragged out
put on
repeated
and sent back to storage
until next year
and the parties
got organized
invited to
attended
(grudgingly sometimes)
drunk copiously at
and ruined
or enjoyed
and the dinner
got planned
shopped for
cooked
served
eaten
(quite enthusiastically)
and cleaned up after
and our friends and family
got called
calmed
counseled
or asked for advice
and good cheer
was exchanged between us
and we
are exhausted
grateful
happy we did all of it
pleased we survived
and ecstatic
it’s over!