A Christmas Story

He leaves for a smoke and we all breathe a sigh. Try
To fix the tree that lays decapitated. Try
To fix the dinner table that was almost upturned. Try
To get mom to stop crying so she can continue to cook. Try
To hide the presents before he asks where they came from. Try
To hide our anger and sadness behind an empty smile. Try
To have fun for this brief moment where the house is quiet. Try
To hold onto this joy as we hear the doorknob turn and
His boots thunder into the room again.



Poetry by Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 90 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2025-12-16 at 15:57

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Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
Your poem has been chosen to be featured on the home page of PoetBay. Thank you for posting on our poetry website!
2025-12-22


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
I want to applaud this for its poetic strength, and then realise that in itself it is an expression of the author's strength in having survived to now. There is a saying: "You can choose your friends but not you family". It applied to me too in a way. Now that they are gone, I have come to realise that I am the product of all that happened when they were here, and I can live with that at ease. Blessings, Allen
2025-12-17