NEW POEM: Boxed Up

"Boxed Up" has been written to coincide with the time that Christmas decorations are coming down and being put back into storage. I hope you all had an enjoyable festive season.

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Boxed Up

A Poem by Simon Clark

The giant red candles have been blown out,

The faux holly (because it’s not naturally gold) centrepiece is removed,

The cards from neighbours you don’t even know are in the recycling,

The paper chains are down for another year,

The snow-sprayed council house windows are scraped clean,

The epileptic-curse of blinking lights are all finally switched off,

The fancy knives and forks are returned to the mahogany silk-lined case,

The crystal glasses gather dust at the back of the cupboard once again,

The twisted-foil tinsel is rammed into a black bin bag,

The fairy packed (almost delicately) away,

The ornaments are hidden from view,

The loft is full of presents from years without receipts,

The presents sit on chairs we only use in December,

The folks visit once a year and we all pretend that it’s bliss,

The mistletoe is chucked out before some bugger tries to steal a kiss,

The plastic tree is folded and the real one left on the curb to rot,

The family are gone and I’m left like the little boy that Santa Claus forgot,

The Baileys is still flowing, at least for a few more sups,

The drink is the only thing guaranteed that won’t be boxed up,

The memories of Monopoly and of arguments during dinner,

The old school prayers (I rolled my eyes) separating saint from sinner,

The sleeping on the sofa as the Queen gives her speech,

The mystic fantasy of Father Christmas is now so far from adult reach,

The crackers are all pulled and we’re left with psychic fishes,

The house is trashed and the sink is filled with soiled dishes,

The truth: we can’t wait for more next year, that’s all our Christmas wishes.

Box it all up and pour me a Baileys!

© Simon Clark 2022