when Christmas ends there are pieces to
pick up.
the tissue paper, the box.
the lone card someone didn't open because
there were so many
and oh, here it is!
how did we
forget.
the people leave.
they pack up what they got,
making sure that what they got isn't mixed up
with what someone else
got.
they make sure they didn't throw something out
with the
trash.
do we have the checks....yes.
do we have all the little pieces that go with
the
toys?
they leave, waving and thanking.
they say you shouldn't have but they knew
you would.
and you are glad
you
did.
then,
you close the door. maybe you go to the kitchen
to do
the
dishes.
maybe you sit down and
cry.
not because it was bad but because
it was
good.
not because it is ending but because
this.
is.
Christmas.
and it is just
beginning.
