After Christmas...

A few decorations still adorn the house,

Ornaments swatted as if each was a mouse,

Needles from the tree all over the floor,

Just cleaning this mess will leave my body sore.

Leftover cookies, eggnog, and cake,

I give them to friends for my own sake,

For my ample assets have expanded enough,

Finding jeans to fit me could become quite tough.

I hate the silence; the music no longer plays,

My family has all gone their separate ways,

They left me with memories I'll forever keep,

Along with gifts; none of them cheap.

The anticipation of that one day,

Leaves me blue when it goes away,

For after Christmas the cheer is not here,

I long for that feeling all through the year.

I hope they didn't see my eyes fill with tears,

As I relived memories from many other years,

When ribbons and bows flew through the air,

When everyone I loved was gathered there.

The day after Christmas is over for me,

Bright red hearts line shelves for lovers to see,

Valentine's Day will soon come and go,

I wonder if we'll have any fresh fallen snow.

A few decorations still adorn my house,

The rooms are so silent I could hear a mouse,

I close my eyes to hear their voices once more,

Blessed to have such love on Christmas and forever more.

© Dianna Doles Petry
12/26/2011