December Convention

While the morning taps on their windows with hot fingers,
the family collect around the conifer
decorated with festive thrills.
Expectations flavour the air
as this annual ritual
reaches its climax.

Accepting gifts with bright innocence,
children shred away packaging,
their glee like static
as they escape into the fantastic cosmos of play.

(But that child watches;
happiness filtered
through
gloomy eyes.)

Parents have endured
the madness and the horror of
searching for wishes when
restricted by dubious stock, unreliable credit,
ingenuous beliefs, and everything moving like a
crescendo.
Now this annual ritual wanes.
Parents radiate pleasure and relief.

Here are the relatives!
disconnected from time
as usual

Adults trade presents wrapped in gossip.
A squeak!
An appliance upgrade appears.
Cousins boast about their new playthings.
And unavoidable tears matching comparisons that brawl.

no surprises
in this annual ritual

Repast begins,
BBQ and lavish salads,
cold meats and bubbly beverages.

TALK & DEVOUR!

avoiding the heavy sunlight

the men discard empties and anecdotes while laughter foams
the women camp around the niece flashing her fresh diamond
hands flap at flies, flies, FLIES!
streams of persistent ants weave toward immeasurable riches
cockroaches watch before they ambush

this is the unique mood of a nation

where is the administration
as that nephew topples the precious plant
as this daughter bawls displaying her timid scratch
as those nuptial plans resemble a rash
as these family memories resonate like dust
as amusement accumulates

in this annual ritual

drowsy afternoon
sun grins from a barren sky
grandfather snoozes
taunts bounce over the fence
fans beat
refreshments exhausted
departures
deserted toys
and other revelations
like the girlfriend’s pregnancy

moans of delight
like ice-cream

no surprises

conversation drops
when party minds swing
toward the passage of a
searing siren