Thursday, December 19, 2019

day ONE THOUSAND and SIXTY FOUR


Ghosts of Christmases Past

I remember Christmas Eves
spent in emergency rooms
after loved ones overdosed
suffered panic attacks,
convulsed and hallucinated
from alcoholic withdrawals.

Holiday carols bring flashbacks
of Christmas Day burns,
cuts and bruises,
carving knife malfunctions
that resulted in stitches
or severed pieces of fingers.

Each year resurrects ghosts:
resentment, chest pains,
shingles, pneumonia.
All I want from Santa
is an uneventful Noel
without blood or drama.

--Jennifer Lagier


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