The days are endless as you prepare
to house the children who never call home
and host the cousin you don’t like,
since she stole your prized diamond stud.
But you do it with a smile,
because it’s Christmas.
Everything has to be perfect.

The nights stretch on as you
string the tangled lights,
decorate the colossal tree,
stuff the gluttonous stockings,
and wrap the asymmetrical gifts.
There is still the last-minute shopping,
and everyone else has gone ice skating.
But you do it with a smile,
because it’s Christmas.
Everything has to be perfect.

Cookies don’t bake themselves.
You are the magical elf
who butchers your manicure grating aged parmesan,
scalds your finger while frying cauliflower,
embellishes the table with Christmas tree-shaped napkins,
seats Uncle Harry and Aunt Sarah apart,
host the Christmas movie trivia,
awards the winner of the ugly sweater contest,
arranges shadow theater during hors d’oeuvres,
and takes pictures to commemorate it all.
You are the one
who makes everything perfect.

But the moment you blink,
the lights go dim
and the magic of Christmas fades.
Carolers transform into background noise
and everything you’ve put your heart into
becomes overshadowed by fireworks and midnight kisses.

The day you’ve been preparing for
with immense anticipation
has come and gone,
faded into tomorrow.

Editor: Shannon Hensley