• After-Christmas Blues

    Shiny wrapping paper crumpled and thrown into
    the gray dustbin of January. Leftover
    champagne flat; just a credit card bill hangover.
    Party's over; guests of anticipation gone,
    leaving behind hollow promises to return.
    Shiny malls have lost their veneer of home welcome.
    After-holiday sale signs blatt cheap, bright bargains.
    The soap bubble filled with breath of glitter has burst,
    Deflating the air cushion built since November.
    Decorations and blank cards go to a dark place
    throughout the cold winter, muddy spring and summer.