burn the christmas tree

there will be no mistletoe
sponsored by mastercard,

no diamond forever or
secret santa stuffing stockings

by fireplace burning the cold
of outside to ash while drinking coca-cola

with polar bears.
--

the doors of the mall are closed,
last day of liquidation of the entire

market was yesterday, while the
world was sleeping on serta sofas

watching a plasma tv hanging from a chandelier,
ears plugged, dreaming to ipod staccato--

the latest punk riff rip-off from the late great jimi.
--

there will be no hi-definition instant replay
concussion, no bud light game-time decision,

thrown chairs and sucker punches have left
the building along with the fat lady,

the bars are closed, no ten-cent wings,
no table-top dancing drunk off cosmopolitans,
high on ego.
--
burn the christmas tree.

leave the angel.

ask forgiveness.

listen to family.

remember the year.

pray for progress.

search for reason, never take handouts.

there's more behind the blinking lights.

be merry.