THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS

Well, the children were sleeping, my wife was in bed;
But despite my exhaustion, I stayed up instead.
I wanted to ponder the Christmas tradition,
And why I succumbed to society’s rendition:
To shop and buy presents because it’s expected—
A merchants’ conspiracy, I always suspected.
(But if I speak out against it, I’ll be criticized.
And if I don’t participate, I’ll be ostracized.
So I cave to the culture and take the wrong tack—
But if it’s not the right gift, they take it right back.)
What craziness, I mused, my thoughts left unfinished . . .
The beauty of Christmas to me was diminished.

by Jim Chapman