23.12.04 - 4:32 p.m.

gift exchanges are fine, and new pajamas from
your mother in law, mashed potatoes
made without chicken broth and salad made at
the last moment, when aunts realize that
mashed potatoes arent enough for dinner,
pinochle and drunk sister's arm around your waist
whispers in your ear about how we dont see eachother
often enough, but it isnt nintendo and soda in a sunken
livingroom that looks exactly like every other
sunken livingroom in santee. it isnt tea and
bad pie at punkrock, waitresses that remember you with braces
or the people you dont have to avoid, who
dont prompt you to collapse into bed at the end of
the evening with a sigh.