Christmas Eve
Claire Scott

a plug-in plastic Santa flashes
joyful and jolly
presents piled under the tree
shimmered in silver ribbons
mulled wine in crystal glasses
                Joy to the World
I wait
embers spark and fade
midnight strikes
weak with waiting
I turn out the lights
the plastic Santa blinks
like a manic optimist
I grab your hammer
                & smash & smash &
plastic pieces skitter across the floor
providing scant satisfaction
once more begging you to come home
                doesn’t work again

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