Kids tearing into presents,
pinching each other’s favourite
adding sauce to their meal
of gifts, making themselves sick
with laughter & chocolate
from tree & stocking
Crackers, opening salvos
in the wars of the families.
People taken apart like turkey.
Yellow, orange & red hats
flaming on heads, as candles
burn up & splutter.
A time to be got through.
A time for wrapping yourself up
in a tissue of red wine,
a string of quiet expletives
and giving yourself to yourself.
A time to escape
Driving over the Pennines
where yellow light ices
the motorway, & the frosted moor
gleams like Christmas cake.
Pushing the pause button
on the endless merriment tape
