1/3/05 by oldestgenxer

I Promised, or threatened, to write about my Christmas experience. I have had time to reflect, and here it is. A poem, for your enjoyment.

As I get up, a bright new day:
I'm off to work, I'm on my way
My wife stayed home, she didn't go
She called to say she wouldn't show.
They told her that would be just fine
Because they know it's Christmas time.
Buying and wrapping and decorating fun
By the time I get home it will all be done.
"Look," they will tell me, when I get home
"All is prepared, like a Christmas poem."
It looks very nice, and their faces are glowing
It's wonderful to see all they are showing.
I go to bed tired, but fairly content
I know the reason for all of this is meant.

I wake up again, not sure of the date
But I do know that I don't have time to wait
Regardless it is a work-day for me.
For lately most of them are, you see.
There are mouths to feed and bills to pay.
Bleary-eyed but dutifully, I am on my way.
My wife goes into work that day,
But she gets to leave early and that's okay.
She does all the shopping, the whole entire list
Rampaging the stores, items clenched in her fist.
Whe I arrive home, the house is alit
As well as inside, all proper and fit.
They are all baking cookies, with glasses of milk
Wearing Christmas pajamas, of satin and silk
I wanted to help, but they were all done
"You should have been here, it was much fun."
I get undressed and go to bed
Completely unsure of when I had beed fed.

So again, I awake, and begin my day
I wake up the wife, for I have to say
"Get up or you'll be late for work"
She rolled over and snorted, "Leave me alone, you jerk!
I don't have to be at work today."
It wasn't fair, for me to go and her to stay.
She sighed, "It's almost Christmas, there is much to prepare;
Presents to wrap, and decorations to flair.
Lot and lots of cooking and canoodling.
There is much I will be do-doodling.
Go to work, I'll get up soon."
Eyes closed, voice trailing, "At least by noon."
I hop in the car and begin to drive
Fuming and bent, I thusly arrive.
Another long day, full of long hours
I daydream of having mystical powers
The thing I would wish more than anything,
Is to know the joy this season should bring.

It is now Christmas Eve, and I'm not to be found
Of course I'm at work, and it's beginning to sound
Like I do this on purpose, but it's not really true.
I just have to work, it's just what I do.
I'm bitter and jaded, and a little bit pissed
Thinking of all the things I have missed.
At last I am home, but every one is gone.
All that is left is just one more dawn.
At last the big day, I awake bright and early.
Still feeling bitter and a little bit surly.
But I've really got no reason to moan;
Today, at least, I get to stay home.
Family arrives from near and far,
We joke about where to park all the cars
This is the moment that makes it worthwhile
As we eat and drink and catch up with a smile.

Now I did want to tell you my wife was upset
And because of that part of my day was spent
Staying out of the way so she could play hostess,
But that's not what this is about, I think, at least mostly.
She said she was upset because things weren't quite so,
But I feel it's because I wasn't there enough, you know?
It wasn't a great Christmas, but okay, to be sure
Especially after all that we've had to endure.
As we lay down that night, I should have told her,
"Next year will be better. . . " but I just held her shoulder
But I will try harder, and I will make it right.
Merry Christmas to all. Man, I'm tired. Good night.